MONKEYPOX RASH

TYPES

There are two different types of monkeypox rash: Clade I, which evolved in Central Africa, and Clade II, which arose in West Africa. lineage IIb, a subtype of the less severe West African lineage, is the source of the current global epidemic (2022–2023).

SYMPTOMS

It might take days or even weeks after exposure before you experience symptoms. Monkeypox rash symptoms include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Inflammation of lymph nodes
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue

However, not all individuals who are infected with the monkeypox rash experience the same symptoms. Symptoms can vary and may include:

• Flu-like symptoms followed by the development of a rash. In some cases, individuals may not experience any rash at all.
• The rash may appear all over the body or only in a few areas, with some people developing several bumps or blisters.

You may not be aware that you have monkeypox rash. Even if you do not exhibit many symptoms of the virus, you might still infect others via extended close contact.

DIAGNOSIS

Because monkeypox rash is uncommon, a doctor may first think it is something else, like measles or chickenpox. However, monkeypox rash can generally be told apart from other poxes by swollen lymph nodes.

To figure out if you have monkeypox rash, your doctor will take a tissue sample from an open spot (called a “lesion”). Then, they will send it to a lab for DNA fingerprinting testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). You may also need to give a blood sample to check for the monkeypox rash virus or antibodies that your immune system makes.

TREATMENT

There are no antiviral medications for monkeypox rash that are presently authorized. If you are really ill, your doctor may advise you to take antiviral medications like tecovirimat or cidofovir. These medications are licensed for the treatment of other viral illnesses (such as smallpox), but further study is required to determine how successfully they cure monkeypox rash.