New Delhi: The country’s monkeypox outbreak can still be controlled and eradicated, but due to insufficient awareness of the disease and symptoms, people with skin allergies are running to doctors and inquiring whether they have been infected. Such was the case of Noida-based Priyanka, who was convinced she had monkeypox after noticing red bumps and rashes on her legs. The 28-year-old marketing executive said that within a day, he developed rashes on other parts of his body.Also Read – A pregnant woman with monkeypox in the US gave birth to a healthy baby
“Since monkeypox was being discussed in news reports, I first thought I had contracted it. I was worried and looked for pictures and news about it. I called my doctor who allayed my fears but for me, spot less. It was only after that that the situation returned to normal and I realized it was a common skin allergy,” she told news agency PTI. Also Read – Limit sexual partners: WHO advises men at risk of monkeypox
Priyanka wasn’t the only one who panicked after seeing the rash on her skin. Hospitals in Delhi-NCR are seeing panicked patients, who are developing allergies, rushing to them to ask if they have an infection. Also Read – Monkeypox scare: Task force to be set up to guide government to tackle spread of virus
What do the experts say?
Due to increased awareness, people are coming to hospitals to confirm whether their symptoms are related to monkeypox, which are being monitored by specialists, said Dr. Medanta Hospital, Consultant, Visiting Dermatology. Ramanjit Singh said.
The doctor said that he has been getting such questions and panic among people for the past seven to 10 days, especially after the first case of monkeypox was reported in the country. Delhi reported its first case of monkeypox on Sunday when a 34-year-old man tested positive for the viral disease.
The fear is especially among people who have recently traveled abroad, Singh said, adding that during the rainy season, people are at increased risk of viral infections and cases of chickenpox are often seen in this season along with other infections that include rash and nausea.
“Because of this situation, some patients get confused and misinterpret it with monkeypox. A patient can determine whether they have monkeypox by understanding the sequence and onset of symptoms,” said Singh.
How to differentiate between monkeypox and allergy?
Elaborating further, he said that monkeypox usually starts with fever, malaise, headache, sometimes sore throat and cough and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) and all these symptoms appear four days before skin lesions, rashes and other problems which mainly Starting from the extremities. Like hands, eyes and spread all over the body.
“If anyone shows symptoms in this sequence, they should get checked for monkeypox. Boils during chickenpox are fluid-filled and do not involve discomfort,” he said.
Experts unanimously emphasize that in monkeypox, there will be other symptoms along with skin involvement.
Dr. Senior Consultant, Department of Dermatology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram. Sachin Dhawan said a woman visited him recently when his 10-month-old child had a reaction after an insect bite.
“With increasing awareness through the Internet, people are coming to us with questions about monkeypox if they have a rash or common insect bites. No need to panic. The number of cases is relatively small. But if you have doubts, it is better to consult a doctor,” he said.
India has so far reported four cases of monkeypox, including three each in Kerala and Delhi. While three cases had a history of foreign travel, the patient from Delhi had attended a stag party in Himachal Pradesh. He is currently at LNJP Hospital and is on the road to recovery.
Senior Dermatologist at Akash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital, Dwarka Dr. Pooja Chopra said her colleagues have seen cases of patients in other parts of the country with unusual rashes accompanied by fever and joint pain.
Stressing that vigilance and vigilance are the key, she agreed with her counterparts that patients confuse skin allergies with monkeypox.
She added, “If you suspect an infection, look for symptoms like unusual rash, fever, joint pain, general weakness.
