​Monkeypox vs chickenpox: What are the differences and which one is more severe?​

With pictures of monkeypox in circulation all over social media, a common question that many have is that isn't monkeypox similar to chickenpox? The diseases have similar symptoms like rashes and blisters accompanied by high fever.

There is a need to address the differences between the two viral infections so that individuals are aware of the severity of the diseases and take medical assistance at the earliest to prevent complications.

Having chickenpox does not provide immunity against monkeypox as both the infections are caused by different viruses. Though their symptoms might have similarities they are different infections and need to be dealt with differently.

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes smallpox. It was first identified in 1958 in monkeys, hence the name, and the first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This virus is primarily found in Central and West Africa and is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals like rodents or primates, or through human-to-human transmission. Currently, the clade 1b strain of the monkeypox virus is in circulation in the Congo.

Chickenpox, on the other hand, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the Herpesviridae family. It has been a common childhood illness for many years. The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through respiratory droplets or direct contact with the fluid from chickenpox blisters.

Monkeypox symptoms typically begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, and backache. These initial symptoms are followed by swollen lymph nodes, which is a distinctive feature of monkeypox compared to chickenpox. After a few days, a rash develops, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses from flat lesions to raised bumps, and eventually to fluid-filled blisters, which can form scabs before healing.

Chickenpox generally starts with a fever and tiredness, followed by a characteristic rash. The rash usually begins on the face, scalp, or trunk and spreads outward. It progresses through several stages: red spots, fluid-filled blisters, and then scabs. Unlike monkeypox, chickenpox blisters are typically all in different stages of healing at the same time.

Monkeypox is less contagious than chickenpox. It can spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids or lesions of an infected person or animal, and also through respiratory droplets, although this is less common. The virus can survive on surfaces for a period, but transmission through contaminated objects is not the primary mode of spread.

Monkeypox has an incubation period of about 7-14 days, although it can range from 5-21 days. The illness generally lasts 2-4 weeks. The progression from fever to rash and then to healing can vary, and severe cases may take longer to resolve.


Chickenpox is highly contagious, primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching or breathing in particles from blisters or by touching contaminated surfaces. The contagious period usually starts 1-2 days before the rash appears and continues until all the blisters have formed scabs.

Chickenpox has an incubation period of 10-21 days. The illness typically lasts about 1-2 weeks. The rash usually takes 1-2 weeks to go through all its stages and then several more days for all the lesions to heal completely.

Monkeypox can be severe, especially in cases where the patient has underlying health conditions or is immunocompromised. Complications may include secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, or severe dehydration due to fluid loss from blisters. Monkeypox has a mortality rate of about 1-10%, depending on the strain and the health of the individual.

Chickenpox is usually mild in healthy children, but it can be more severe in adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. Complications can include bacterial infections of the skin, pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Chickenpox is rarely fatal, but it can be serious, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, and those with compromised immune systems. The mortality rate is extremely low, but complications can be significant.

Monkeypox prevention involves avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus and using protective measures if you are in an area with active outbreaks. There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, but smallpox vaccination has been shown to provide some protection due to the similarity between the viruses.
​Monkeypox preparedness in India: 13 big questions answered here​
Chickenpox is preventable through vaccination. The varicella vaccine is highly effective at preventing chickenpox or reducing its severity if the disease does occur. It is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults who have not had chickenpox or received the vaccine.

"Health officials have been asked to sensitise people about it, a senior official of the Public Health Department on Thursday told the media. Mpox variant 'clade 1b' has caused an outbreak in some African countries, the official said, adding that the disease primarily spreads through household contact, and children are more susceptible to catching the infection. "It is not fatal in most cases, but specific treatment is yet to be discovered," the official said. "We have asked district-level health officials and municipal corporations to maintain active case surveillance. Officials at airports and ports have also been requested to ensure close surveillance," he added.