Lymphadenopathy (swollen glands) is common (click here)
Monkeypox (click here) is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
By Jake Sheridan
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (click here) is calling on the federal government to ramp up its monkeypox response as cases continue to climb in Chicago, according to a statement released from his office Thursday.
Pritzker is also sending 4,600 more vaccine doses to Chicago, which accounts for 86% of the cases in the state, the statement said. The doses had been originally allocated to the state by the federal government.
The federal government should further prioritize areas hardest hit by the virus’ emerging outbreak for vaccines, Pritzker told U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a letter, which was also sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell.
“We know that a swift response is essential when confronting outbreaks of disease,” Pritzker said in the statement. “And we’ve learned in the last few years that most people are eager to protect themselves and their communities when given the tools to do so. We must give the public and health professionals every tool possible to counter the spread of monkeypox, which is why I’m urging the federal governments to take further action.”...
