What Is Monkeypox: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment – Healthline

Monkeypox is a viral disease similar to smallpox. It causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a lesion-like rash. The lesions can appear on or near your genitals or anus and in other areas.

Monkeypox is also a zoonotic disease. This means it can be transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. It can also be transmitted from one human to another.

There are two different types of the monkeypox virus, the West African virus, and the Congo Basin virus.

Before 2022, most cases of monkeypox occurred in central and western Africa. However, cases of monkeypox caused by the West African form of the virus have been reported in 94 countries worldwide as of the time of this articles publication, including in areas where it doesnt usually occur.

Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of monkeypox. This article will also explain how monkeypox spreads and how it can be treated.

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the virus that causes smallpox.

Scientists first identified the disease in 1958. There were two outbreaks among monkeys used for research. Thats why the condition is called monkeypox.

The first case of monkeypox in a human happened in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are typically milder.

After you contract the monkeypox virus, it typically takes 6 to 13 days for symptoms to appear. However, this can range from 5 to 21 days.

The early symptoms can include:

After the fever develops, a rash usually appears 1 to 3 days later. The rash typically affects your:

A rash may come before or after fever and other flu-like symptoms. Some people may only experience a rash.

The rash associated with monkeypox consists of lesions that evolve in the following order:

After the lesions dry and scab over, they fall off.

The symptoms of monkeypox generally last 2 to 4 weeks and go away without treatment.

Heres what the condition looks like in humans:

Possible complications of monkeypox include:

An infection in the cornea may lead to vision loss.

In severe cases, the lesions might merge together. This may cause the loss of a large area of skin.

In the past, the monkeypox virus was mainly active in tropical, rural parts of central and western Africa. Since 1970, it has occurred in the following countries:

Historically, most reported cases of monkeypox are from rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

However, as of August 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in 87 other countries where the virus doesnt usually occur, with 39,434 total cases reported worldwide.

Additionally, on July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with the monkeypox virus through the following substances:

It can also spread through contact with objects, fabrics, or surfaces that contain the monkeypox virus.

People who are pregnant can also pass the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the monkeypox virus can also be spread through intimate contact, which includes:

Transmission can also happen through:

Scientists are still researching whether monkeypox can be spread by a person who has no symptoms, how it spreads through respiratory secretions, and whether or not it can be spread by contact with other bodily fluids, including vaginal fluids, semen, urine, or feces.

According to the CDC, monkeypox is rarely fatal. In fact, approximately 99% of people who get the West African version of monkeypox survive. This is the strain thats responsible for the current outbreak.

Certain people may be more susceptible to severe illness and complications, including:

People who experience secondary bacterial infections tend to have worse outcomes.

Compared with the West African form of the virus, the Congo Basin form of monkeypox is usually more severe, It has a fatality rate of around 10%.

Before 2022, most confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States were associated with international travel or contact with animals that had gotten the monkeypox virus.

However, since May 2022, multiple cases have been identified in countries around the globe where monkeypox doesnt usually occur.

As of August 17, 2022, 39,434 cases have been reported worldwide in 94 different countries. This includes 13,517 cases in the United States, with the highest number of cases occurring in:

On August 4, 2022, monkeypox was declared a public health emergency in the United States.

Theres currently no treatment for monkeypox. However, monkeypox is self-limiting, which means it can get better without treatment.

Some medications can be used to control an outbreak and prevent the disease from spreading. They can include:

Other treatments focus on managing symptoms using over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as pain relievers, topical creams, and oral antihistamines.

According to the WHO, the smallpox vaccine is approximately 85% effective in preventing the development of monkeypox. If you received the smallpox vaccine as a child and contract the monkeypox virus, your symptoms may be mild.

There are two vaccines available that may be used for the prevention of monkeypox, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000.

The CDC currently recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and those who are at an increased risk of contracting the virus.

This includes people who:

In addition to getting vaccinated, the CDC also recommends washing your hands frequently and avoiding direct contact with people who have monkeypox or objects that they mightve used to prevent infection.

If youve had close contact with someone who has gotten monkeypox, the CDC recommends consulting with a healthcare professional to determine whether testing is necessary.

Doctors diagnose monkeypox using several methods:

Blood tests arent usually recommended. Thats because the monkeypox virus stays in the blood for a short time. Therefore, its not an accurate test for diagnosing monkeypox.

Monkeypox is a viral disease and zoonotic condition, which means it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread through contact between two humans.

The first symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, it causes a rash, which can appear on or near your genitals, anus, face, chest, and extremities.

The rash consists of lesions that turn into fluid-filled blisters, which then dry up and fall off. The rash typically starts on your face and then progresses, usually to your arms and legs. However, it can occur in other parts of your body as well.

Getting vaccinated if youre at risk, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with others who have monkeypox can help prevent infection.

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What Is Monkeypox: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment - Healthline