As the number of monkeypox incidents continues to climb globally, some affected individuals are using social media to promote awareness about the symptoms, demonstrate what the rash might look like, and enlighten others about the condition.
Silver Steele, a social media user, released a photo timeline on Instagram documenting how their monkeypox lesions evolved over three weeks, which has now gone viral.
According to Instagram, the Houston, Texas, resident contracted monkeypox in July. Steele stated in the caption of the now-viral selfie collage that his intention with this is not to creep people out, but to educate.
Not all exhibits signs in the same manner, but more than one professional has informed him that his case is a ‘clinically ideal’ example, and it’s being utilized in CDC seminars and medical publications, Steele continued.
Steele’s symptoms appeared seven to eight days after being exposed to the virus, he said in reply to a remark on the Instagram image.
Steele also mentioned feeling “nothing” in the afflicted area of the face before the lesions emerged on July 10, and not feeling nauseous until five days later. On July 15, he experienced flu-like symptoms that lasted around 48 hours, Steele stated.
Steele’s lesions grew from pimple-like lumps to huge, ulcerated sores and crusted lesions that were unpleasant. Steele’s lesions had finally begun to shrink on day 18. The pink margins signal that it’s mending, Steele stated in a July 28 video update.
What are the most prevalent signs of monkeypox?
A classic case of monkeypox often begins with a series of early flu-like symptoms (also known as a prodrome), which include fever, lethargy, malaise, headache, muscular pains, and chills.
Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director of infection prevention at Yale School of Medicine, previously told that a rash will often occur within five days after these flu-like symptoms, but it can emerge at the same time as the symptoms or without any flu-like symptoms at all. Many victims, like Steele, have reported getting flu-like symptoms following the lesions.
Previously, the rash would generally begin on the face and hands before progressing to the rest of the body. However, research on the present epidemic has revealed that lesions around the anus, genitals, mouth, and throat (as well as other places of the body) are frequently the first to appear and do not always spread to other parts of the body.
The rash often begins as a flat, red discolouration of the skin and progresses to a hard, raised lump that resembles a blister or pimple. Dr. Paul Adamson, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, told that monkeypox lesions are often characterized as deep-seated, well-circumscribed, and umbilicated, which means there’s a dimple in the middle of the lesion.
The lesions subsequently fill with pus or fluid and crust or scab over before falling off, which can take up to four weeks. It’s essentially contagious for as long as you have the rash, Adamson explained, until you create a new layer of skin.
Steele’s graphic selfies depict the realities of a difficult and solitary sickness. “Imagine what it’s like to have if it’s difficult to look at?” stated Steele in another Instagram video released on July 25. Steele warned individuals to exercise caution at crowded gatherings and to get vaccinated in the caption.
In the United States, two vaccinations are now used to eliminate smallpox and monkeypox, but supplies are restricted and these are not available to the general population.
Steele concluded the video by urging viewers to be sympathetic. These aren’t folks who wanted to be infected with a virus. They simply got it. Reach out to everybody you know who has it. He understand that a lot of folks are feeling lonely right now, Steele remarked.
Other monkeypox sufferers have also published photographs and videos of their symptoms on social media in order to raise awareness about what the signs look like and what the healing process requires.
Maxim Sapozhnikov, a creative producer and fashion blogger based in Milan, Italy, revealed in June that he had monkeypox. Sapozhnikov revealed photographs of what seemed to be “pimples,” as Sapozhnikov termed it, but turned out to be monkeypox in a TikTok video broadcast on June 26 that has received over 12.1 million views.
“At first I was afraid to share about it, but then I realized that I want to help individuals who are suffering with #monkeypox,” Sapozhnikov captioned the photo.
@maximsap At first I was scared to talk about it, but then I decided that I want to help people who are going through #monkeypox 🐒 #monkeypoxvirus #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #trending #video #tiktok ♬ original sound – Lucia 🌙
In an interview, Sapozhnikov described feeling ill and having a fever for two days before discovering two pox-like lesions.
Social awareness, in his opinion, is more vital than any stigmas. No disease is humiliating, Sapozhnikov remarked in the caption of another Instagram video.
A TikTok user known as Josh Jones and @ava_monet on social media released a video of monkeypox lesions after one week three days ago, and it has now received over 3.1 million views.
@ava__monet One week with monkey pox #monkeypox #flightattendant #3weekhotelstay #fyp ♬ original sound – Ava Monet Josh Jones
Jones, gesticulating at monkeypox lesions all over his chest and face, claimed the pimples were actually beginning to scab off but would take two weeks to recover. He is feeling a lot better since he has been on the TPOXX treatment, Jones stated. (According to the Food and Drug Administration, TPOXX or tecovirimat was licensed in 2018 to treat smallpox, which belongs to the same viral family as monkeypox, and it can be used for patients with severe illness or those at high risk of getting seriously ill.)
Joshua Wright, a personal coach who recorded a TikTok on July 9 displaying instances of lesions at various stages of development, is another monkeypox patient who resorted to social media to communicate their story and raise awareness.
@joshualee.nyc What can Monkeypox lesions look like and how do you take care of them? #monkeypox #lesions #neosporin #developing #maturity #healing #symptoms #illness #pimple #bugbite ♬ original sound – Joshua
In an earlier stage of development, Wright depicts a lesion on the leg that it appears to be an insect bite slash pimple. It’s also starting to form a small red circle in the center, in the video, Wright stated. Wright pointed noticed a “white head” growing on a facial lesion that was further along.
Finally, Wright pointed to a large and fluid-filled lesion on the wrist. It’ll pop, but not like a pimple, Wright explained, adding that the lesion was quite painful but will eventually heal and scab over.
How is monkeypox transmitted?
Experts previously told that monkeypox is mostly transmitted through close, skin-to-skin contact. Sexual action, but also kissing, hugging, caressing, and other non-intimate direct contact, might be included. The virus can spread through sores, scabs, body fluids, respiratory secretions, or infected objects such as bedding, clothes, or towels from an infected individual.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms usually develop three weeks after being exposed to the virus. According to Roberts, monkeypox lesions can emerge everywhere on the body or remain limited to the area where contact with an infected individual happened.
Anyone who suspects they have monkeypox or has been exposed should visit their doctor or local health authority to be tested.
