Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a virus that causes fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and tiredness, usually followed by a rash and blisters on the skin. It is usually spread by very close contact with someone who has the virus. Anyone can get monkeypox. However, during this outbreak, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men have been impacted the most.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Symptoms usually start within 6 to 13 days after being exposed to monkeypox, but can also start anywhere from 5 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Feeling extremely tired
- Cough or sore throat (sometimes)
- Runny nose
- Rash with blisters that can appear 1 to 3 days after fever, but in some cases, can appear before fever or other symptoms. The rash usually begins as flat red spots (that can look like pimples or heat rash), which turn into blisters and then form a crust. In some cases, the rash appears around the mouth, genital, or anorectal (bum) areas.
Monkeypox is diagnosed by a healthcare provider, based on symptoms and a laboratory test.