infectious diseases
Mpox (Monkeypox)
Symptoms and Signs of Mpox
Clinically, mpox is similar to smallpox. A prodrome of fever, headache, and malaise is followed by a rash that progresses from macules and papules to firm, deep-seated vesicles or pustules that umbilicate, scab, and fall off over time. Lymphadenopathy occurs in mpox but not in smallpox. However, atypical clinical presentations have been reported in the 2022 global outbreak; therefore, diagnosis may be delayed. In the 2022 outbreak, rashes are often reported to have started in the genital, perianal, or oral regions and do not always disseminate or progress through the typical stages. Pain at lesion sites, specifically proctitis or oral pain, may be the presenting complaint. Systemic prodromal symptoms may also be mild, absent, or appear concurrent with rash. Secondary bacterial infection of the skin and lungs may occur. Clinical differentiation of mpox from Smallpox and herpesviruses such as Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image courtesy of the Public Health Image Library of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from U.K. Health Security Agency. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from U.K. Health Security Agency. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from U.K. Health Security Agency. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from U.K. Health Security Agency. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from NHS England High Consequence Infectious Disease Network. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. Image from NHS England High Consequence Infectious Disease Network. Mpox is clinically similar to smallpox. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, skin lesions on any part of the body shared the same stage of development. In the 2022 global outbreak, atypical clinical presentations include skin lesions starting in the genital, perianal, or oral regions, lesions localized to a specific anatomic site, and lesions being in different stages of progression on a specific anatomic site (eg, vesicles and pustules existing side-by-side). Unlike smallpox, lymphadenopathy is common in mpox. RICHARD USATINE MD / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY 