Monkeypox: how to know if you have this or another disease that causes similar skin symptoms | Health | Magazine

There are many things that can cause a rash, including, although very rare, the monkeypox virus.

What are the things you should review and consider?

Could it really be monkeypox?

The first thing you should ask yourself is: Do you think you might have been exposed?

Getting infected requires close and prolonged contact, often skin-to-skin, with an infected person.

Hay very few people in the world who currently have it, which means there is not much opportunity to get this disease.

Even in remote parts of some African countries where it can sometimes circulate, children rarely get it.

Symptoms of monkeypox

If you were to get monkeypox, the first thing you would notice would be flu-like symptoms: tiredness, malaise and fever.

This is what doctors call the “invasion period” of the disease, when the virus enters the cells.

you will feel your swollen glands because your immune system is preparing to fight the infection.

Then comes the eruption, which goes through different phases of “skin eruption”.

It starts out flat and red, but then becomes bumpy and blistery, before crusting over.

Dr Rosamund Lewis of the World Health Organization’s Emergencies Program explains how it starts.

“First, what we call macules appear. these are just red areas. It then progresses to papules. This is already something that can be felt because it has relief”.

Those red lumps and bumps they begin to blister and fill with a whitish fluid that looks like pus.

These pustules then begin to dry up and form scabs.

Eventually, the scabs will heal and fall off.

“That is why [la viruela del mono] can be confused with chicken pox”, dice Lewis.

A monkeypox rash usually starts on the face sometimes also in the mouth, and later in the arms and legs, hands and feet, as well as in the trunk of the body.

In some of the recent cases, the rash often appeared around the genital area.

Lewis warns that sometimes “the rash may not be visible because it may be covered.”

The rash, which may look slightly different on different skin tones, can contaminate sheets and clothing.

What else could a rash be?

The UK Health Security Agency’s advice is to be aware of any unusual skin changes or lesions, especially around the genitals.

“Differentiating between different types of rashes can be difficult. So if you are in doubt, follow the advice and get yourself checked out,” said Dr Tanya Bleiker, president of the British Association of Dermatologists.

There are many possibilities. In this article we explain what other things it could be if you have a rash:

1. Chickenpox

Chickenpox rash usually itches a lot and goes through similar stages until it ends up becoming scabs.

It is possible to get chickenpox more than once in your life.

Los adults can develop it againeven if they had it as small children.

Shingles, the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, also causes a rash.

Spots may appear and it is usually painful.

2. Sarna

Scabies is caused by mites that lay eggs on the skin, causing a lot of itching and redness.

The rash can appear anywhere on the body, but often starts between the fingers.

You may see lines or imprints on the skin, as well as spots.

Although not serious it is very contagious and needs treatment.

3. Chinches or insect bites

Bed bugs can bite you if the bedding or mattress you sleep on is infested with them.

The insect itself is very smallso you may not notice it.

Like other insect bites, the lesions are itchy and red, and are often grouped in a line or group.

4. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis or genital herpes

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually contracted by having sex with someone who is infected.

Genital herpes is a virus that can be sexually transmitted.

Both of them can cause blisters.

If you think you might have an STI, it’s important to get tested and get treatment as soon as possible.

5. Urticaria or allergy

This red, itchy, stinging rash is a skin reaction to something the body thinks is a threat.

That’s why he reacts with a rash.

Sometimes the trigger is never found, but the most common include eating certain foods or contact with certain plants, chemicals, or medications.

6. Molluscum contagiosum

This common viral infection, often seen in children, is harmless.

But it can spread throughout the body and cause itchy, hard spots and bumps that They have a small dimple in the middle.

Tend to appear in groups in the armpits, behind the knees or in the groin.

It can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated objects, such as towels.

7. Hand, foot and mouth disease

This viral infection is spread by coughing and sneezing, as well as by contaminated household items such as cutlery.

May cause flu-like symptomsas well as mouth sores and a red rash on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

It usually gets better on its own.

8. Impetigo

This contagious bacteria usually infects skin that is already damaged.

Causes red sores and blisters with oozing crusts, often on the face.

Although it may seem serious, it can be cured with a antibiotic cream. (I)