Introduction
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is similar to smallpox, but much milder. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is spread through contact with an infected animal or person. While the disease is not common in the United States, it is important to be aware of the subtle signs of monkeypox so that you can seek medical attention if necessary. According to experts at Eat This Not That, there are several subtle signs of monkeypox that you should be aware of. These include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
Subtle Signs You Have Monkeypox, Say Experts
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is similar to smallpox, but much milder. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is spread through contact with infected animals or humans. While it is not common in the United States, it is still important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of monkeypox so that you can seek medical attention if necessary.
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
The most common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. The rash usually begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. It can be itchy and may blister or ooze. Other symptoms may include chills, fatigue, and eye irritation.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Monkeypox?
If you think you may have monkeypox, it is important to seek medical attention right away. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the infection and provide treatment. Treatment may include antiviral medications, antibiotics, and supportive care. It is also important to avoid contact with other people until you have been cleared by your doctor.
Eat This Not That to Help Prevent Monkeypox
Eating a healthy diet can help to boost your immune system and reduce your risk of contracting monkeypox. Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help to keep your body strong and healthy. Additionally, avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can help to reduce your risk of infection.
Monkeypox cases have surpassed 1,000 worldwide, and virus experts are advising people to be aware of the signs and symptoms. “Based on the prior history of monkeypox over the past few decades, and from what we have seen so far with the number of cases now, monkeypox has not reached a level of threat comparable to the ongoing COVID pandemic,” says infectious disease clinical specialist Seth Blumberg, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at UC San Francisco. “So, while I think we can be cautiously optimistic that the outbreak will be controlled, I think it’s important to have some level of awareness about monkeypox and to be ready for the unexpected.” Here are five signs of monkeypox you shouldn’t ignore, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
The initial symptoms of monkeypox are not obvious, doctors say. “Monkeypox starts with fever, then general body aches, malaise, and muscle aches,” says Dean Blumberg, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. “The first symptoms are similar to influenza.”
A slight rash is one of the first obvious signs of monkeypox. “The rash is similar in some senses, and different in others, to what we know about ‘textbook’ monkeypox,” says UCSF infectious disease expert Peter Chin-Hong, MD. “The major difference in this current outbreak is that the rash appears to start in the genital area and the anus rather than the face or trunk. From the genitals, it can move to the arms and palms of the hands, and sometimes the face, including the mouth.”
Monkeypox rash eventually turns into blisters that spread around the body. “The type or nature of the rash is the same: it starts off as a red spot which evolves to fluid or pus-filled blisters which can then evolve into ulcers then scab off,” says Dr. Chin-Hong. “They can be extremely painful, but not always.”
“Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The main difference between symptoms of smallpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not,” says the CDC.
While the smallpox vaccine still offers protection against monkeypox, COVID-19 vaccines need to be constantly updated. “Viruses have a remarkable ability to change over time by genetically mutating,” says Dr. Blumberg. “But the rate of change is different for different viruses. The genes in monkeypox virus is encoded by DNA, while the genes in SARS-CoV-2 are encoded by RNA. RNA viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, tend to mutate much quicker than DNA viruses, such as monkeypox. Because of this it generally is harder to come up with a vaccine that remains effective for a long time against RNA viruses in comparison to DNA viruses.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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