Case report from Bonn: doctors describe early symptoms of monkeypox

case report from bono
Doctors describe early symptoms of monkeypox

07/15/2022 11:46 am

Currently, Germany is a monkeypox hotspot, with 1790 reported cases. To prevent further spread of the virus, early diagnosis and treatment of the infection is essential. A possible early sign of the disease is now presented.

In the early stages, monkeypox infection is difficult to diagnose. Furthermore, the incubation period is between 5 and 21 days. That’s why doctors at the University Hospital in Bonn are reporting a case that suggests early signs of monkeypox virus infection. Stephen Schlabe and Christoph Boeske In “Deutsche rzteblatt”.t” presents the medical history of a patient who initially presented with a doctor treating him because of a new blister in the corner of his mouth. 51-year-old is an HIV patient who has been on antiretroviral therapy for years is well adjusted.

The person, who otherwise did not show any other signs of illness, was first treated with ointment and sent home. But this did not help and after a few days the blisters turned into the so-called corner of the mouth ulcer, that is, a painful ulcer in the corner of the mouth. So the patient went back to his family doctor, who took a smear test from the ulcer and sent it to a lab to be tested. There, monkeypox virus was detected using the so-called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Treatment going on for four days in the hospital

The infected patient then developed further symptoms. Common monkeypox blisters form on the skin and in the mouth. The blisters grew in the area of ​​the palate. The blisters became so much that the base of the tongue was swollen and the patient was unable to speak properly. He then had to be admitted to the University Hospital in Bonn, where antiviral therapy was also started. As a result, the man recovered quickly and was discharged from the hospital after just four days.

The first case of monkeypox infection in Germany was discovered on May 19, 2022. It is currently registering According to the report of Robert Koch Institute 1790 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the country. The World Health Organization has counted more than 6,000 cases so far. The purpose of publication of the case is to sensitize doctors to consider monkeypox virus infection as early as possible in case of ulcers in the corners of the mouth. Patients can also benefit from this knowledge.