Single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus have been identified as symptoms of monkeypox virus.
Symptoms leading to hospitalization were identified by an international collaboration of clinicians across 16 countries.
Study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London aims to improve future diagnostics and slow the spread of the virus amid shortages of vaccines and treatments for smallpox monkeys in humans globally.
It was done in response to an “emerging global health threat” and reported 528 confirmed infections at 43 locations between April 27 and June 24. year 2022.
Gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by the spread of the virus, with 98% of those infected from this group.
“Although sexual closeness is the most probable route of transmission in most of these cases,” the virus can be transmitted by “any physical contact through any kind of physical contact,” the researchers said. respiratory droplets are large and capable of passing through clothing and other surfaces”.
Reports said many of the infected people considered in the study had symptoms “not recognized in current medical definitions of monkeypox”.
The report continues: “These symptoms include single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. The clinical symptoms are similar to those of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). and easily lead to misdiagnosis.
“In some people, symptoms in the anus and mouth have led to hospitalization for pain and difficulty swallowing.
“This is why it’s important that these new clinical symptoms be recognized and healthcare professionals educated on how to identify and manage the disease – misdiagnosis can delay progression.” present and thus hinder efforts to control the spread of the virus.”
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The NHS website now lists symptoms as high temperature, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen glands, shivers and exhaustion.
Chloe Orkin, professor of HIV Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and Director of the SHARE partnership, said: “The virus knows no borders and cases of monkeypox have now been described. in 70 countries and over 13000 people.
“This truly global case series has allowed doctors from 16 countries to share their extensive clinical experience and wide range of clinical images to help other doctors where there are fewer cases.
“We have shown that the current international case definitions need to be expanded to include symptoms that are not currently included, such as ulcers in the mouth, on the lining of the anus, and sores in the anus. Single.
“These specific symptoms can be severe and lead to hospitalization, so it’s important to get a diagnosis.”
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Ashish Joshi talks to a man suffering from one of the ‘most terrible’ cases of monkeypox the UK has ever seen.
The report comes out because the NHS is strengthen vaccination program against smallpox in monkeys in London when there is more jab supply.
On Tuesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it had purchased 100,000 more doses of the effective vaccine as cases continued to rise.
As of July 18, there were 2,137 confirmed cases in the UK, with 2,050 in the UK and the majority in London.
