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letter
. 2022 Jun 24;123(6):593–594. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.06.020

Mouth sores and monkeypox: A consideration

Pathum Sookaromdee a,, Viroj Wiwanitkit b
PMCID: PMC9598802  PMID: 35760308

Dear editor

Novel zoonotic pox diseases have emerged as a new serious problem [1]. Monkey pox is an uncommon pox infection that has resurfaced due to zoonotic property [1]. Outside of Africa, the number of new cases in significant clusters in a number of countries, particularly the United States, is rapidly increasing [2]. Monkey pox has also spread over Europe, posing a serious public health threat at present [2]. The medical community is concerned as the number of reported monkeypox cases in various nations rises, and proper preparation against the possible outbreak is essential.

The advent of coronavirus disease highlighted the importance of responding fast and effectively to an epidemic. We must act quickly to conduct a thorough investigation and implement the necessary processes [2]. Despite the fact that it could be present in any new infectious disease state, mouth sore is a common clinical symptom. When a mouth sore is identified, patients and experts are concerned since a small number of cases can be caused by cancer or dangerous infections. Sores mouth as well as oral lesions may be a frequent symptom find in the monkey pox.

The characteristic clinical manifestation of the new developing monkeypox is an acute febrile illness with numerous skin lesions. Monkeypox has a 1 – 2 week incubation period (from infection to symptoms), although it can be as little becomes 5 to 21 days [1]. The patient develops a rash 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) following the onset of fever, which usually starts on the face and spreads to other regions of the body [1]. Pustular (filled with opaque fluid) cutaneous lesions are abruptly elevated, generally spherical, and stiff to the touch (deep seated). A PCR test on a viral swab collected from one or more vesicles or ulcers, or a dry scraping of the scab, is used to diagnose monkeypox [1]. A previous study found mouth sores in 23.5 percent of cases of monkey pox [3]. The patients had no fevers, but some did get a cutaneous rash [3]. Atypical presentation, afebrile appearance, and the absence of a conspicuous skin lesion are all clinical signs of monkeypox [1].

Because monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, it is best to avoid contact with any things that have been in contact with a sick animal, such as bedding [1]. However, because there is a risk of human-to-human transmission, a similar preventive action, such as avoiding contact with a patient with a skin lesion, could be used. After a steady rise in newly reported cases from numerous nations, there is currently a trend of a large-scale outbreak of monkeypox [1]. Prevention is essential for medical physicians performing oral examinations. It is not recommended that direct contact be made without the use of protective equipment. It is necessary to avoid possible contact with respiratory and mouth secretions during the examination.

A mouth lesion can occur as a primary problem and generate a mouth sore that is easily overlooked. At this stage, there may only be an intraoral lesion at the oral cavity, tongue, and oropharynx [1], [2], [3]. In conclusion, the only first sign could be mouth sore and it may be the first indication of monkeypox. All patients with unexplained mouth sores deserve the finest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Funding

None.

Declaration of Competing Interest

None.

References

  • 1.Wiwanitkit S., Wiwanitkit V. Atypical zoonotic pox: acute merging illness that can be easily forgotten. J Acute Dis. 2018;7:88–89. [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Mungmunpuntipantip V., Wiwanitkit V. Re-emerging monkeypox: an old disease to be monitored. BMJ Rapid Response. 2022 https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o1239/rr-1 Accessible online at. Accessed on 21 May 2022. [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Huhn G.D., Bauer A.M., Yorita K., Graham M.B., Sejvar J., Likos A., Damon I.K., Reynolds M.G., Kuehnert M.J. Clinical characteristics of human monkeypox, and risk factors for severe disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;41(12):1742–1751. doi: 10.1086/498115. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

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