What is Monkeypox?
What are common monkeypox symptoms?
According to the CDC, monkeypox infections often last two to four weeks and start with flu like symptoms. Symptoms common in monkey pox are fever, headaches, muscle pains, and fatigue. Over time, fluid-filled pimples, sometimes known as “pox,” blisters or vesicles appear all over the skin. Health officials have observed that the most recent instances of monkeypox frequently accompany genital rashes that can be mistaken for herpes or syphilis.
Although monkeypox can be fatal, there are two main viral types that carry differing levels of danger. According to the WHO, a strain from the Congo Basin kills around 1 in 10 of those who contract it, whereas a strain from West Africa seems to be less severe, killing about 1 in 100 of those who contract it.
People appear to be contracting the less severe strain right now all around the world, including in Europe and the United States. On July 29 and July 30, two deaths from monkeypox in Spain and one in Brazil were reported as the first known cases of the current outbreak outside of Africa. Five individuals have died in Africa, according to the WHO.
How is monkeypox transmitted?
The major way that human-to-human transmission of monkeypox occurs is by direct contact with infected lesions, scabs, or bodily fluids. During prolonged face-to-face contact or during close physical contact, such as kissing, snuggling, or sex can spread the virus as can through respiratory secretions. According to the CDC, people can contract an infection by coming into contact with clothing or bedding that has been used by an infectious person. The virus can infect a pregnant woman’s foetus or unborn baby.
A 2003 U.S. outbreak was caused by diseased animals being trafficked from Ghana to Texas, but it is not how the virus is presently spreading in the United States and Europe. People can also contract monkeypox via infected rodents or primates, as happened during that outbreak.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine or treatment?
Since smallpox and monkeypox are caused by the same virus family, antiviral medications and vaccines created and stored for smallpox, which has been completely eradicated, can also be used to treat monkeypox.
The White House in the United States is working to increase access to testing, vaccine doses, and treatments, but many people still have trouble getting access to these medications. According to some experts, monkeypox runs the potential of becoming another public health failure due to the same testing delays and vaccine shortages that the coronavirus had in its early stages. This is a frightening situation and requires individuals to be aware of modes and means of transmission and knowledge on how to best protect themselves.
How can I protect myself and others from monkeypox?
Health officials are warning people to exercise caution in crowded settings like family gatherings where it may be impossible to avoid bumping against individuals who may be infected and have active skin rashes or blisters because the virus transmits from skin to skin.
The CDC advises against kissing or hugging somebody who has a rash that resembles monkeypox or other potential symptoms, as well as refraining from sharing utensils. Along with not touching the clothing, bedding, or towels of someone who has monkeypox, refraining from sexual contact with them and maintaining proper hand hygiene are all appropriate approaches to prevent or minimize the risk of infections.
Infected people are advised to keep themselves away from other people and animals, and to cover any sores with long clothing and a mask.
In summary Monkeypox symptoms
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Muscle aches and backache.
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. Sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
Complications of monkeypox can include secondary infections which includes lung infections such as bronchopneumonia, widespread infection in blood called sepsis, infection and inflammation in the brain or spinal cord called encephalitis, and infection of structures within the eye such as the cornea with resulting in loss of vision. The extent to which infection can occur without a patient experiencing any outward symptoms or signs known also as asymptomatic infection is as yet unknown.