The first case of monkeypox in the UK was reported on May 7 and since then, cases of the current outbreak have dramatically risen across the globe. It is a well-known disease that causes rashes to the body, but as Metro reported, some people confuse it with another condition with similar symptoms.
Shingles also cause rashes on the skin and are characterized by weakness, chills, and muscle aches before the rashes appear. Some may develop pain, itching, tingling, and burning on the skin.
To avoid confusion, here's how to tell the difference between the two.
In this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handout graphic, symptoms of one of the first known cases of the monkeypox virus are shown on a patient?s hand May 27, 2003.
Monkeypox Symptoms
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, which means that the virus came from animals and spread to humans. This virus can be transmitted via large droplets that travel a short distance and spread through direct contact with skin lesions and contaminated bed sheets or clothes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of monkeypox look like a milder version of smallpox. Rashes typically appear one to five days after fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The incubation period for monkeypox is usually 7-14 days, although sometimes it can range from 5-21 days.
Rashes begin to appear on the face, affecting 95% of patients, and then spread to other parts of the body. They could be in the palms of hands and soles, inside of the mouth, genitalia, and sometimes in the eyes. The illness typically lasts for 2-4 weeks and has caused death in Africa.
ALSO READ: WHO Escalates Monkeypox Global Health Risk Level to 'Moderate'
Shingles Symptoms
Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. According to Mayo Clinic, they remain inactive in nerve tissue in the spinal cord and brain after chickenpox subsides. But they can be reactivated years late and cause noticeable rashes on the skin.
However, unlike monkeypox, shingles are not life-threatening, although they can be very painful. Vaccines and early treatment are often used to prevent and reduce the chances of complications.
Symptoms of shingles start with pain, burning sensation, numbness, and tingling. Then it will be followed by a sensitivity to touch, a red rash that starts after a few days after the first symptom, fluid-filled blisters, and itching. Some people may also experience fever, headache, sensitivity to light, and exhaustion.
The most common characteristic of shingles rash is the stripe of blisters that wraps either the left or right side of the torso. Also, shingles rash could occur around the eye or on one side of the face or neck.
Monkeypox is Not Related to Shingles and COVID-19 Vaccines
A report from Associated Press (AP News) emphasized that monkeypox is not at all related to either shingles or COVID-19 vaccines. Although both conditions cause rashes, shingles and monkeypox are not the same and are caused by different viruses.
Experts told AP that many posts in the media are falsely claiming that the two conditions are the same after one website mistakenly used a picture of shingles in its article about monkeypox.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Seth Blumberg said that even claims of COVID-19 vaccines causing monkeypox have no basis. He added that the only way to get monkeypox is through direct exposure to the virus or infected individual or animal.
RELATED ARTICLE: Pets Are Susceptible to Monkeypox Too and May Cause Massive Transmission; Patients Advised to Avoid Contact for Three Weeks
Check out more news and information on Monkeypox in Science Times.
