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What is monkeypox?
26 November 2025
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that can affect both animals and humans. It is primarily characterized by a widespread skin rash, fever, and muscle aches.
Monkeypox is a disease whose main home is the African continent, but in recent years it has spread to other continents. This is mainly due to international travel, the import of animals, and close contact with infected people or animals, which has led to the spread of the Orthopoxvirus.
This viral condition is often spread from an infected animal to a person through:
- A scratch or bite.
- Handling, cooking, or eating the meat of infected animals.
- Direct contact with body fluids or rashes of infected animals.
- Consuming products made from infected animals.
The monkeypox virus is transmitted between people through:
- Direct contact with the skin, body fluids, scabs, sores, or rash of an infected person.
- Sexual contact.
- Touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Humans can also transmit the monkeypox virus to pets or livestock.
Signs and symptoms Monkeypox
Symptoms typically appear between 5 and 20 days after exposure to the virus and last for about two to four weeks. They include:
- Sore muscles
- Lower back pain
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headaches
- Rash on the face, hands, and feet
- Excessive mucus
- High temperature or fever
- Coughing spells
Monkeypox is contagious from the first symptoms until the rash and scabs have completely healed.
Diagnosis and treatment Monkeypox
In addition to performing a physical exam and reviewing your medical history, a doctor will conduct a PCR skin test to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and prevent further risks. This includes taking oral painkillers, antivirals, and antihistamines, as well as drinking plenty of fluids, taking care of the skin, and practicing good hygiene.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Department of Internal Medicine, we provide high-quality, safe medical care, from prevention and diagnosis to timely treatment and follow-up for a wide range of infectious, respiratory, endocrine, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological conditions. We treat both chronic and acute illnesses using a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.
Related centers and departments Monkeypox
Fuentes:
- who.int
- paho.org
- woah.org
- houstonmethodist.org
- mayoclinic.org
- medlineplus.gov
- msdmanuals.com
- medigraphic.com
- Rodríguez NE, González DE, Pérez GHR, et al. Mpox (viruela del simio, viruela del mono, Monkeypox). Una enfermedad endémica en África y emergente en el mundo. Enf Infec Microbiol. 2022;42(4):157-164.
- Romo LA, Arteaga PR, Vega MME, et al. Viruela símica, revisión de la literatura: antecedentes históricos, epidemiología, formas de contagio, cuadro clínico, síntomas, mortalidad y grupos vulnerables, tratamiento y vacunación. Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica. 2022;20(4):459-467.
- Toro-Montoya AI. Viruela del mono: una enfermedad reemergente. Medicina & Laboratorio. 2022;26(3):215-218.
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The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.
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