What is the difference between monkeypox and chickenpox?

*This text has been written based on the information received from health institutions and organizations, hospitals and health professionals. If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms described here, our recommendation is to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

this monkey flower (monkey flower) It was recently declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the disease is transmitted by a virus such as chickenpox and is mainly characterized by skin lesions, there are noticeable differences between the two conditions.

Understand below the differences in transmission, symptoms, treatment and prevention between monkeypox and chickenpox (also known as chickenpox).

Monkey pox X chicken pox

Streaming

In both diseases, transmission occurs through viruses: in the case of monkeypox, monkeypox virus and in chickenpox the virus v.aricella zoster. Of zoonotic origin, monkeypox is a orthopox virus which initially attacked wild animals – monkeys – and then began to affect humans as well. Varicella-zoster is one of eight types of human herpes viruses.

Both diseases can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and skin lesions and direct contact with recently contaminated objects, but the chickenpox virus is more contagious.

In the current monkeypox epidemic, research shows that sexual contact is the main vector of the disease.

Symptoms

Although both diseases begin similarly, with initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, backaches, chills, and fatigue, there is one important difference: swollen lymph nodes are only seen in monkeypox, not chickenpox.

Another subtle but noticeable difference is found in the skin lesions caused by the two diseases. In the case of monkeypox, the lesions appear and disappear together, always indicating the same stage – growths (papules), pus (pustules), blister and crust; in the case of chickenpox, the lesions are present in different stages at the same time.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incubation period for monkeypox can be between seven and 14 days, while in the case of chickenpox it can take up to 16 days for symptoms to appear.

The duration of the acute phase also differs between diseases: Monkeypox symptoms can last for two to four weeks, while chickenpox symptoms are shorter: up to two weeks, usually disappearing within seven days.

Treatment

For both diseases, treatment is symptomatic and usually does not require hospitalization – but it can get worse, especially in people who are immunocompromised.

In the case of monkeypox, several compounds are being developed and tested that may be effective against monkeypox virus infection, according to the WHO. Although it is a vaccine, it is currently only for healthcare professionals dealing with the disease, due to the limited number of doses. Some countries also vaccinate gay and bisexual men who are considered to be at risk.

In the treatment of chickenpox, painkillers and antipyretics are generally used to relieve headache and fever, antihistamines (antiallergic) are used to relieve itching, according to the Ministry of Health.

Medication should be directed by healthcare professionals as not all medications are specified: for example, the use of acetylsalicylic acid-based analgesics and antipyretics is contraindicated and can cause serious problems.

Cold water compresses are ideal to reduce itching. Vesicles should not be scratched and crusts should not be removed. To prevent this from happening, nails need to be well trimmed.

Hygiene care is also very important and should only be done with soap and water. When there is secondary infection, antibiotics are also prescribed.

Prevention

According to WHO, prevention and control of monkeypox depends on raising awareness in communities and educating healthcare professionals to prevent infection and stop transmission.

Initially, most monkeypox infections resulted from primary animal-to-human transmission, emphasizing the need to avoid contact with sick or dead animals. Foods containing meat or animal parts also need to be properly cooked before eating.

Recently, an international study found that most transmission between people is through sexual contact, so practicing safer sex also reduces the risk of transmission.

Close contact with infected people or contaminated materials should also be avoided, and gloves and other personal protective equipment should be worn during patient care.

In the case of chickenpox, close contact with patients should be avoided as transmission occurs through contact with fluid from skin blisters or through coughing, sneezing, saliva and virus-contaminated objects – i.e. direct or respiratory secretions. .

Chickenpox transmission occurs one to two days before the skin lesions appear and persists for up to 6 days when the lesions are in the crusting stage, so children should be removed from daycare or school for seven days from the onset of symptoms. .