As monkeypox cases continue to surge, the World Health Organisation has declared the virus a ' global health emergency ', the highest alert possible.
More than 16,000 cases have now been reported from 75 countries, said WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
According to the latest data available, there have been five deaths.
So far, there have been over 2,000 confirmed cases reported in the UK.
Monkeypox in humans was first discovered in the early 1970s in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr Ghebreyesus said: "This is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups."
But what are the symptoms of monkeypox and are the reports of penis swelling and pain linked to the virus?
What are the official symptoms of monkeypox?
According to the NHS, monkeypox is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa. There has recently been an increase in cases in the UK, but the risk of catching it is low.
The first symptoms of monkeypox include:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering (chills)
- exhaustion
These symptoms usually occur one to five days before a rash appears. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the genitals and anus.
Is penis swelling and pain a symptom of monkeypox?
In a study conducted between May and July 2022, by Julia Bilinska and her colleagues at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, 31 men out of 197 who had contracted monkeypox complained of penis swelling.
However, as of July 29, the NHS, WHO and US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention do not recognise penis swelling as a symptom of the virus.
But all the participants involved in the research did have some form of lesion on their skin or mucous membranes.
What is the treatment for monkeypox?
According to the NHS, monkeypox is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
Because of the similarity to smallpox, the smallpox vaccine is believed to offer protection to monkeypox as well.
The NHS is currently offering the smallpox vaccination (MVA) to those who are most at risk of being exposed to it.
This includes:
- some healthcare workers
- some men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men
- people who have been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox.
Please call 111 or get in touch with your GP if you are showing symptoms or concerned you have contracted the virus.
