A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed that symptoms of the monkeypox virus observed in the current outbreak are significantly different from those reported during previous outbreaks in African regions.

The retrospective observational analysis of 197 patients (all men) from London revealed that there is a possibility that transmission of the virus could happen from individuals who are either asymptomatic or have few symptoms. As in the study population, only a fraction of the participants, i.e., 26.5%, had known contact with someone with a confirmed monkeypox infection.

According to the study, rectal pain and penile swelling (edema) are common symptoms in the current outbreak in comparison to the previous outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2007–11 and Nigeria in 2017–18. Researchers have recommended that clinicians test all patients presenting with these symptoms for the monkeypox virus. The researchers also added that the patients who tested positive for monkeypox and are exhibiting symptoms of extensive penile lesions or severe rectal pain "should be considered for ongoing review or inpatient management."

(Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/monkeypox-virus-current-symptoms-different-from-earlier-symptoms-finds-study-1981263-2022-07-29 )