Monkeypox in humans: Transmission, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and all recent updates

Table 1 Case definition and clinical features

Suspect case	New-onset typical rash
	Fulfill one of the epidemiologic criteria and have a solid clinical possibility of monkeypox
Probable case	No other possible orthopoxviral exposure (e.g., vaccination), and evidence of the presence of
	orthopoxviral DNA by PCR in the patient’s sample
	Presence of orthopoxvirus using immunohistochemical or electron microscopy testing methods
	Positive anti-orthopoxviral IgM antibody after onset of rash for a duration of 4 to 56 d. Men who practice sex with men
Confirmed case	Evidence of monkeypox virus DNA detected by PCR in a patient specimen or detection of virus in clinical specimen culture
	Epidemiological criteria: Within three weeks of beginning the illness: Possible exposure to a person with a characteristic rash or who was diagnosed with monkeypox or a probable case, or following intimate exposure to individuals with monkeypox-like symptoms. Travel to a monkeypox endemic country outside the United States or a country with a monkeypox outbreak, or contact with a dead or live wild animal or pet from an endemic African region or a product obtained from such animals

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; IgM: Immunoglobulin M.

Table 2 Monkeypox symptoms and treatment options

Monkeypox symptoms	Treatment options
Monkeypox symptoms: Itchy, painful pimple/blister-like rash with several stages	Oral antihistamines, creams, and lotions such as calamine lotion. Keep the rash covered, do not scratch, soak in a warm bath, use oatmeal
Fever, chills, lymph node swelling, body ache, URI symptoms	Symptomatic pain medications
Severe disease involving eyes, mouth, throat, genitals and anus	Antiviral tecovirimat

URI: Upper respiratory infection.