Monkeypox – What symptoms? What to do in case of suspected infection?

Monkeypox virus infection begins with a fever, often high and accompanied by headaches, body aches and fatigue. After about two days, a blistering rash appears, made up of fluid-filled blisters that progress to drying out, crusting and then scarring. Itching may occur. The vesicles tend to be concentrated on the face, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

The mucous membranes are also affected, in the mouth and the genital area. The lymph nodes are swollen and painful, under the jaw and in the neck.

The incubation of the disease can range from five to 21 days. The fever phase lasts about one to three days. The disease usually heals spontaneously, after two to three weeks.

The diagnosis is essentially clinical.