After the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency due to the spread of monkeypox, it becomes necessary for individuals to be aware of all the symptoms to get appropriate treatment at the right time. In the following report, Dalili Medical reviews the most prominent symptoms that indicate monkeypox infection, according to the World Health Organization.

**Stages of development of monkeypox pills**

 

Monkeypox pimples go through several stages over a period ranging from 2 to 4 weeks, and the shape of these pimples varies from one stage to another. The following are the stages of development of monkeypox pills:

1. **Spots**: These are flat areas on the skin that are a different color from the rest of the areas, and are often red.

2. **Pimples and bumps**: They appear as hard lumps protruding from the skin.

3. **Liquid-filled pills**: They contain clear liquids.

4. **Pus-filled pimples**: These are small pimples that contain a yellow liquid.

5. **Intrusion of the center of the grain**: Where the center of the grain sinks inward, leading to the formation of crusts above it.

6. **The grains and scales fall off**: After they dry, the grains and scales that cover them fall off.

**Can the symptoms of monkeypox be distinguished?**

 

A rash is a prominent symptom of monkeypox, as it appears in most infected people. However, this rash may resemble pimples that appear as a result of other diseases such as smallpox, measles, or sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions that cause a rash.

Swollen lymph nodes can be a hallmark of monkeypox, distinguishing it from similar diseases, including smallpox.

For accurate diagnosis after monkeypox symptoms appear, the virus or the antibodies that the body produces to combat it are detected by taking a blood sample or tissue sample from the skin lesions, using the following tests:

- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination.

- ELISA test.

- Western blot examination.

**What should you do if you develop a rash that looks like monkeypox?**

 

Anyone who experiences an unexplained rash, especially if it is accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes, should contact a health care provider, even if they do not believe they have been exposed to someone with monkeypox. Testing is essential because it helps rule out or confirm a diagnosis of monkeypox and helps prevent the spread of the disease. The CDC shared photos showing what the rash looked like during the current monkeypox outbreak.

**Are the symptoms of new monkeypox different from the old one?**

 

Yes, there are differences between monkeypox symptoms in 2022 and those seen in previous decades. These differences include:

- In previous outbreaks, the rash covered large areas of the body, whereas now patients may have a rash in a small area, or even just one lesion.

- A monkeypox outbreak that occurred in 2022 may cause rectal pain or swelling of the penis.

- It is not necessary for the patient to suffer from all the known symptoms of monkeypox when recently infected with the disease.

The rash may appear before the early symptoms of the disease, and some individuals may suffer from the rash only without other symptoms.

When do monkeypox symptoms appear and when do they disappear?

 

Early symptoms of monkeypox usually appear 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, but symptoms can appear 5 to 21 days after infection. The time it takes for symptoms to appear is known as the incubation period. As for the blisters caused by monkeypox, they often appear within 1 to 5 days after the early symptoms appear.

Monkeypox symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks, and may last longer in people with weakened immune systems.

What should you do if you think you have been exposed to monkeypox or know about it?

 

There are different levels of exposure risk, some higher than others, so it is important to contact your healthcare provider if you think you have been exposed to the virus. Your caregiver can advise you on what steps to take, which may include:

- Monitor for symptoms of monkeypox and avoid sexual contact for the next 21 days.

- Isolation and testing if you develop symptoms.

- Receive post-exposure prophylaxis if you have had high-risk sexual contact.

The sooner you contact your health care provider about your concerns about exposure to the virus, the better. Ruling out or confirming a monkeypox diagnosis quickly not only helps limit its spread, but may also help reduce symptoms if you are already infected. Post-exposure prophylaxis through vaccination is most effective when given within the first four days of exposure. Although vaccination after four days may not prevent the disease, it can help reduce its severity.

**What are the symptoms of monkeypox?**

 

Monkeypox is a rare disease that was first recognized in 1958, when it spread among a group of monkeys used in scientific research. The first case of infection with it among humans was recorded in 1970. Despite this, infections remained confined to the continent of Africa, especially in the western and central regions, until 2022, when many countries around the world witnessed an increase in the number of infections, including countries that did not Have not been affected by this virus before.

A skin rash is considered one of the most prominent symptoms of monkeypox, as fluid-filled blisters appear on the affected skin, similar to those resulting from smallpox. However, there is no need to worry, as monkeypox is not as fatal as smallpox, and its symptoms are usually less severe.

Below is detailed information about the symptoms of monkeypox virus:

**Early symptoms**

The initial symptoms of monkeypox are non-specific and can be caused by an individual contracting other types of infection. These symptoms include:

- High body temperature (fever).

- goosebumps.

- headache.

- Muscle and back pain.

- Joint pain.

- Swollen lymph nodes.

- Fatigue and exhaustion.

- Sweating.

Monkeypox symptoms usually start with a general feeling of illness, then progress to flu-like symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches. Swollen lymph nodes often occur with the onset of fever, and this swelling may be a sign that distinguishes monkeypox from smallpox, although it does not appear in all cases of infection.

Early symptoms of monkeypox can also include cough, nausea, shortness of breath, sore throat, and stuffy nose, which are symptoms that may appear in some patients but not in all cases.

**Advanced symptoms**

The characteristic rash of monkeypox is not an early symptom, appearing several days after the onset of the initial symptoms. However, some patients may not experience any early symptoms, making a rash the first sign of the disease. In rare cases, the rash can appear before other symptoms appear.

The rash usually begins in the face and chest area, then spreads to other areas of the body, such as:

- Inside the mouth and nose.

- Reproductive organs, such as the penis and testicles in males, or the labia and vagina in females.

- Anal area.

- Hands and arms.

- Legs and feet.

- Inside the eyes, including the cornea or conjunctiva.

The rash appears in the form of red bumps and pimples or fluid-filled pimples, and they may be itchy and painful, especially if they merge together or appear in the mouth or anal area.

The number of pimples can vary from one patient to another, as some may suffer from a small number while others suffer from a large spread of pimples throughout the body. It is important to note that in some rare cases, the rash may not appear at all.

Other symptoms a patient may experience include pain, bleeding, or infection in the anal area.

**Home remedial measures**

It includes a set of procedures that help relieve symptoms and recover from monkeypox, in conjunction with the treatments prescribed by the doctor, including:

- Wash your hands constantly or sterilize them well when touching exposed sores or blisters.

- Rinsing the mouth with water and salt.

- Try to stay at home as much as possible, or allocate a room for the patient if he lives with his family.

- Wear a mask and cover sores when approaching others during the incubation period of the disease.

- Avoid scraping, shaving, or cutting pimples or skin ulcers to avoid spreading them to other areas or delaying healing.

 Treatments available without a prescription

 

There are a range of treatments that can be obtained without a prescription and aim to relieve the symptoms of monkeypox, such as pain, mouth ulcers, and itching. Among these treatments are:

- **Paracetamol**: It is used to relieve headaches, pains and fever associated with monkeypox.

- **Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs**: such as naproxen and ibuprofen, as these medications help reduce redness, swelling, and pain. It is important to adhere to the appropriate doses according to the patient's condition.

- **Antihistamines**: such as cetirazine and loratadine, which relieve the itching associated with the disease. It is recommended to avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery while using these medications, as they cause a feeling of lethargy and drowsiness.

- **Topical skin preparations**: such as lidocaine gel, calamine lotion, and ointments or creams that contain corticosteroids or antihistamines, which aim to relieve pain and itching in the skin.

- **Eye drops**: Such as those containing antihistamines, decongestants, and artificial tears, which help relieve symptoms associated with blepharitis or conjunctivitis in some cases of monkeypox.

**Ointments and mouthwashes**: Containing benzocaine, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorhexidine, which are used to relieve mouth ulcers and associated pain.

- **Antidiarrheals**: Such as loperamide and bismuth salicylate, which can be used in the case of diarrhea caused by monkeypox. Reperfusion solutions containing electrolytes can also be used if the patient suffers from dehydration as a result of severe diarrhea.