The key monkeypox symptoms to watch out for are

The World Health Organization does not believe the monkeypox outbreak outside Africa will lead to a pandemic, an official said on Monday, adding it remains unclear if infected people who are not displaying symptoms can transmit the disease.

What are the key symptoms of monkeypox?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, back aches, and exhaustion. It also causes the lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy), which smallpox does not.

The World Health Organization underlines that it is important not to confuse monkeypox with chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, syphilis, and medication-associated allergies.

How long does it take for symptoms to appear following an infection?

Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease, with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 7–14 days but can range from 5–21 days.

How does the disease progress?

The disease goes through four different phases. The first invasion period, which is between 0–5 days, is characterised by fever, headache, and lymph node swelling.

The swelling of the lymphnodes is one of the characteristic features of monkeypox and is not observed in similar rash-causing diseases like measles and chickenpox.

At times, they also show generalised weakness or lack of energy.

Skin eruptions usually show up within two days of a fever. The rash is more concentrated on the face, as is evident in 95 per cent of cases. In 75 per cent of cases, it is found in the palms and soles of the feet. In 70% of cases, it affects the oral mucous membrane.The conjunctiva, the cornea of the eye, and the genital area can also be affected.

The skin eruption stage can last between 2 and 4 weeks, during which the lesions harden and become painful, fill up first with clear fluid and then pus, and then develop scabs or crusts.

Monkeypox: What is the treatment?

There is no proven treatment for monkeypox yet. The WHO recommends supportive treatment depending on the symptoms. Those infected are advised to isolate them immediately.

According to the Ministry of Health guidelines on supportive management of monkeypox, skin rashes should be cleaned with simple antiseptic and covered with a light dressing in case of extensive lesions. Oral ulcers should be managed with warm saline gargles.

Doctors say monkeypox is a very well-understood condition that can be managed efficiently with available clinical remedies. "We urge individuals to not panic and, most importantly, not confuse monkeypox with another common viral infection," said Dr Hemlata Arora, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Nanavati Hospital.