In what order do the symptoms of monkeypox appear?

Monkeypox causes a flu-like state, with the following symptoms: fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, numerous and swollen glands… After a few days of fever, skin lesions appear. They fill with a clear liquid and eventually dry out and then fall off, possibly leaving scars on the skin.

The rash is concentrated on the face, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, but also the mucous membranes (tongue and genitals).

Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks.

The order of symptoms

The first symptoms of monkeypox to appear are respiratory or flu-like: fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue… But it is important to note that they only appear two weeks after infection.

The incubation period of monkeypox is therefore very long. Once the virus enters the body, it first affects internal organs, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, interviewed by Healthline.

Then, a lymphadenopathy appears: the nodes are swollen and numerous.

Finally, a rash comes on the hands, feet, face, mouth, and genitals. They appear as raised bumps or painful, pus-filled red papules.

Symptoms appear in the following order:

1) Flu-like state: fever, aches, headaches, asthenia;

2) Lymphadenopathy: swollen glands;

3) Rash

If you have these symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox, it is recommended that you tell your doctor and avoid close contact with the outside world, in order to stem the spread. of the virus. The isolation requested by the health authorities is 21 days.