Well Pharmacy, independent pharmacy chain, has issued advice on the differences between the current spate of monkeypox and the chickenpox virus, after seeing a surge in uptake for the chickenpox vaccine. The number of people who have had a chickenpox vaccination with Well pharmacy has more than doubled (146% increase) in the last six weeks.
Although the two viruses may look similar and share multiple symptoms, they are caused by two different viruses and there are distinct key differences between them. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxviral genus whereas the more commonly known chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can also cause shingles.
The pharmacy is urging people to remain alert, but not to panic. Ifti Khan, Well Pharmacy Superintendent, said: “We know that this current spate of monkeypox is concerning, especially as we are still living with covid, and the memory of lockdown is still so recent. We would urge people to of course remain alert, but not to panic.
"Chickenpox and monkeypox are similar in the way they are spread, via close contact and respiratory droplets, as well as direct contact with contaminated objects, but monkeypox is much rarer and spreads less easily. The important thing to remember is that the chickenpox vaccine will not protect people from monkeypox, but it is still important to protect yourself against chickenpox, especially in adulthood when it can often be far more severe.”
Monkeypox and chickenpox – what you need to know
Monkeypox Symptoms:
- Is typically a mild illness.
- Initial symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen glands – this is distinctive to monkeypox and not present in chickenpox.
- Shivering (chills)
- Exhaustion
- Rash – normally appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. Commonly starts on the face, and then spreads to other parts of the body including the genitals.
- Starts with raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters will eventually form scabs which later fall off.
- The number of lesions on one person can vary from a few to several thousand.
- The rash is sometime confused with chickenpox.
Chickenpox Symptoms:
- Main symptom:
- Itchy spotty rash – which can appear anywhere on the body.
- Chickenpox rash happens in 3 stages – but new spots can appear while others are becoming blisters or forming a scab.
- Stage 1 – Small spots appear:
- be anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth and around the genitals, which can be painful
- spread or stay in a small area
- be red, pink, darker or the same colour as surrounding skin, depending on skin tone
- be harder to see on brown and black skin
- Stage 2: the spots become blisters
- The spots fill with fluid and become blisters. The blisters are very itchy and may burst.
- Stage 3: the blisters become scabs
- The spots form a scab. Some scabs are flaky while others leak fluid.
- Other symptoms:
- High temperature.
- Aches and pains
- Generally feeling unwell
- Loss of appetite.
- Spots look the same in adults and children – but adults usually have a high temperature for longer and more spots than children.
Monkeypox Rash vs Chickenpox Rash:
- Monkeypox rash looks similar to chickenpox.
- Monkeypox usually occurs within 1 to 3 days of a fever.
- There are several stages to monkeypox. The first developing into papules and fluid filled pustules before forming a scab and falling off.
- Chickenpox usually forms in a different way. In a chickenpox rash the spots do not develop uniformly and appear at different times. However, monkeypox lesions appear and develop at the same time.
Monkeypox – what you should do – Contact 111 or Sexual Health Clinic if:
You have a rash with blisters and either:
- you've been in close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox (even if they've not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks
- you've been to west or central Africa in the past 3 weeks
- you're a man who has sex with men
Tell the person you speak to if you've had close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox, or if you've recently travelled to central or west Africa.
Do not go to a sexual health clinic without contacting them first. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until you've been told what to do.
Chickenpox Advice:
Speak to a GP if:
- you're not sure if it is chickenpox
- you're concerned about your child
Tell the receptionist you think it might be chickenpox before going into a GP surgery.
Seek advice from 111 now if:
- the skin around the chickenpox blisters is hot, painful, and red, but redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- your child has chickenpox and is dehydrated
- chickenpox symptoms suddenly get worse
- you're pregnant and have not had chickenpox before, or you're not sure, and you've been near someone with chickenpox
- you have a weakened immune system and have been near someone with chickenpox
- you think your new-born baby has chickenpox
Some people may be able to take medicine to prevent complications. It needs to be started within 24 hours of the spots appearing.
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
For further information on the chickenpox vaccine, visit https://www.well.co.uk/vaccinations/chickenpox
