What is Monkeypox? A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that affects humans and is transmitted from animals.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that affects humans and is transmitted from animals. It is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The virus is similar to smallpox but is less severe. Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, where it is endemic, but it has also been reported in other parts of the world, including the United States. The disease has become more important for public health after the eradication of smallpox in 1980, as there is no specific treatment or vaccine for monkeypox.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox and include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash then develops, which progresses to papules, vesicles, and pustules, similar to the rash seen in smallpox. The rash usually appears on the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, but it can appear on other parts of the body. The lesions then scab over and fall off within a few weeks, leaving a scar.
Causes of Monkeypox
Monkexypox is highly contagious. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is transmitted to humans from animals. Various animal species have been identified as susceptible to monkeypox virus, including rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, non-human primates, and other species. Eating inadequately cooked meat and other animal products of infected animals is a possible risk factor for transmission. Animal-to-human (zoonotic) transmission can occur from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals.
Transmission of Monkeypox
Human-to-human transmission can occur via close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person, or recently contaminated objects. Transmission via droplet respiratory particles usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which puts health workers, household members, and other close contacts of active cases at greater risk. The longest documented chain of transmission in a community has risen in recent years from 6 to 9 successive person-to-person infections. This may reflect declining immunity in all communities due to cessation of smallpox vaccination. Transmission can also occur via the placenta from mother to fetus, leading to congenital monkeypox, or during close contact during and after birth.
It's important to note that children can get monkeypox too.
Treatment of Monkeypox
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox. Treatment is supportive and includes administering fluids and antipyretics to reduce fever. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections, and antivirals such as cidofovir may be used in severe cases. Patients with severe cases may require hospitalization. Vaccines against smallpox may offer some protection against monkeypox, but their effectiveness is uncertain.
Prevention of Monkeypox
Prevention of monkeypox includes avoiding contact with infected animals, especially non-human primates and rodents, and their bodily fluids. People living in or near forested areas may have indirect or low-level exposure to infected animals. People should also avoid eating inadequately cooked meat and other animal products of infected animals. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, should be used when handling infected animals or their products. Vaccination against smallpox may offer some protection against monkeypox, but its effectiveness is uncertain. A monkeypox vaccine also exists.
Conclusion
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that affects humans and is transmitted from animals. The disease has become more important for public health after the eradication of smallpox in 1980, as there is no specific treatment or vaccine for monkeypox. However, measures such as early detection, isolation of infected individuals, and implementation of infection control measures can help in containing and preventing the spread of the disease. In addition, research efforts to develop effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox continue. It is also important for individuals who work with animals or live in areas where the disease is prevalent to take precautions to avoid contact with infected animals and to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of monkeypox.
