[Skip to Content]
Public Health Hotline

Monkeypox

Basic Information

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. 

Symptoms

Monkeypox presents with fever, an extensive characteristic rash and usually swollen lymph nodes.The incubation period of monkeypox can range from 5 to 21 days. The febrile stage of illness usually lasts 1 to 3 days with symptoms including fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle ache), and an intense asthenia (lack of energy).

Transmission

Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or recently contaminated objects. Transmission via droplet respiratory particles usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts health workers, household members and other close contacts of active cases at greater risk.

Treatment

Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases occur more commonly among children and are related to the extent of virus exposure, patient health status and nature of complications. Clinical care for monkeypox is optimized to alleviate symptoms, manage complications and prevent long-term complications. Fluids and maintenance of nutritional status is important to help the body heal. 

Recovery

WHO - Recovering at Home Infographic

 

Top