On the recommendation of the WHO at the end of 2022, the term “mpox” is now used instead of “monkey pox”.
There are several scenarios regarding the symptoms and when they appear and disappear. We describe those that are the most common.
Symptoms of mpox usually appear between 5 and 21 days after exposure to the virus. A person is contagious as soon as symptoms appear. It has been observed in the current outbreak that some people do not develop symptoms. However, they can also transmit the virus.
Flu symptoms
The first symptoms are flu-like symptoms, including:
- Sudden rise in fever (more than 38.5°)
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Reduction of smell
- Aches and fatigue
- Swollen and painful glands (mainly in the neck, but also in the armpits and in the fold of the groin)
- Back pain
This phase is not always present.
Skin lesions
Flu-like symptoms are followed, after one to three days but sometimes longer, by skin lesions:
- These can be red patches or pimples, usually with fluid inside and itchy.
- The lesions typically appear first on the face and then on the rest of the body including the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the genitals. Other presentations are also described, with isolated pimples (about a third of cases only have lesions in the anal and genital areas).
- Some people may have only a few lesions, others may have dozens.
- These lesions can take between 2 and 4 weeks to disappear.
- Lesions contain virus. You should therefore avoid touching it. You have to wait for them to dry, for all the scabs to have fallen off and for a new skin to form to be sure that you no longer transmit the disease to other people.
Symptoms of mpox can be confused with those of other illnesses, such as syphilis, herpes, shingles, or chickenpox. Only a healthcare professional can make the diagnosis. In case of symptoms, contact a doctor.
Complications are rare.
