Initial manifestations of the monkeypox virus may include only a few skin vesicles, extremely minor clinical symptoms, and no evidence of infection. However, experts have now recognized an ulcer near the corner of the mouth as the first sign of monkeypox infection.

German researchers have recently presented the case of a 51-year-old HIV-positive patient whose mouth ulcer developed as the first symptom of monkeypox virus infection.

According to a study published in the journal Deutsches Arzteblatt international, a patient reported his general practitioner a vesicle in the left corner of the mouth that had emerged the day before. He showed no outward symptoms of infection, and antiretroviral medication had kept his HIV infection under control for many years. Hence, he was initially given a topical combination of ointment to treat the ulcer.

But after a few days, he returned to his general practitioner after getting a sore ulcer at the left corner of his mouth. Following this, he tested positive for monkeypox infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subsequently, the patient developed many monkeypox blisters on the skin and the palate. The patient was finally admitted to the hospital and given antiviral treatment with tecovirimat.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency, the highest alert level. In 106 countries, there have been almost 80,000 cases so far, with 36 fatalities.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/ulcer-at-mouths-corner-1st-sign-of-monkeypox-virus-infection/95468273)