Our site/blogs may contain some affiliate/compensated links, which may earn us a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Introduction
You may have heard about Monkeypox, a contagious viral disease that is spreading from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than two dozen people in the United States are infected with monkeypox. In this blog post we’ll take a look at what is monkeypox, how it spreads and how to prevent it.
The CDC says that people at risk of getting monkeypox include those who have traveled to areas where this virus is found, those who have been in close contact with someone who has the infection, or those who care for someone who has the infection. You can get this disease by being bitten by an infected animal or by touching an item contaminated with infected fluids or scabs from an animal. You can also get it if you touch items contaminated with the virus and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Monkeypox symptoms appear between 7 and 17 days after exposure to the virus and include: fever, muscle aches, headache and chills. The typical course of this illness lasts about 2-3 weeks. Most people recover completely without lasting effects other than possible scarring at the site where they were bitten or scratched by an infected animal. In rare instances, monkeypox can lead to serious illness including death
Also Check Out Our Blog: What happens If you take 4 doses of COVID Vaccine
What is Monkeypox
Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. It has two distinct genetic clades: one found in the Congo Basin (central African), and another found in west Africa. The geographical division between these clades is currently located within Cameroon, which is the only country where both virus clades have been found.
Monkeypox is a disease that is transmitted to people from animals. It causes symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients, although it is not as severe. With the eradication of smallpox and cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has become the most important human poxvirus for public health. Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas. Various rodents or non-human primates can spread the disease.
The virus causes a pox-like (pocks) skin rash and fever, with symptoms usually appearing two to four weeks after exposure. There is no cure for monkeypox; instead, doctors treat the symptoms of the infection.
This virus was first discovered in monkeys in 1958 but it wasn’t until 1970 when it was found in humans in Nigeria. Since then, very few cases have been reported worldwide including one case of monkey pox being contracted while traveling abroad which resulted in death within three days after developing symptoms on arrival at home country.
How you may get Monkeypox
Monkeypox is spread through contact with infected animals, including rodents, monkeys and humans. It can also be spread through contact with items that have been contaminated with infected animals. And you can get it from someone who has monkeypox.
If you think you might have been exposed to the virus or believe that you may have contracted it, call your doctor or local health department immediately.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the poxvirus family. The disease can be spread from animals to humans, including by handling infected animals or their secretions (urine or saliva) without protection.
This type of infection causes skin lesions on the face and hands that may spread to other parts of your body if not treated properly.
How dangerous is Monkeypox
Monkeypox has a mortality rate of approximately 1 to 2%, which is lower than that of other diseases like Ebola. However, it can still be deadly if you don’t seek treatment early enough. The symptoms may initially resemble those of the flu, but they can quickly progress to fever and rash within 24 hours. If you’re concerned about monkeypox in your area, see your doctor immediately for a diagnosis.
If you’ve been infected with monkeypox or have any questions about how dangerous this virus is, speak with your physician today!
Treatment for Monkeypox
If you think you have monkeypox, it is important to get medical attention right away. The disease is not serious and can be treated with antibiotics.
If you are sick with monkeypox, treatment will involve:
- Resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
- Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if your doctor approves) for fever or discomfort; and
- Following instructions from your healthcare provider about when to return for more care.
Things you can do to avoid getting Monkeypox
In the event you do come in contact with a monkeypox infected person, there are a number of things you can do to avoid getting sick. The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently and avoiding contact with animals, as well as people who have monkeypox. If you think that you may have come into contact with someone who has contracted monkeypox or is infected themselves, it’s important to avoid any direct physical contact with them.
Additionally, it’s worth remembering that if this does happen to be your first time traveling to countries where monkeypox is common (currently only Angola), then it would be best not to travel there at all until this outbreak has been contained by authorities.
Monkeypox is a disease that can affect humans.
If you’ve learned anything from the news lately, it’s that monkeypox is a disease that can affect humans. A virus that can be transmitted between humans and animals, monkeypox has been reported in several countries in Central Africa since it was first identified.
Conclusion
The best thing you can do is talk with your doctor about whether or not it would be a good idea for you to get vaccinated against monkeypox. This disease is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to get vaccinated against other diseases that cause serious illness in humans.