Just barely after the passing of the COVID-19 pandemic, a strange new virus has arisen, called monkeypox. What is it? What are its symptoms? Is there a vaccine? Click here to learn about this strange new disease!
Figure 1: An illustration of the monkeypox virus and its symptoms on the human hand
What is the Monkeypox Virus?
Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral infection that originates from the Poxviridae family that also includes other types of viruses such as vaccinia, cowpox, variola and other viruses. These viruses originate in animals that spread from one human to another.
Symptoms and How Does it Spread?
There is a range of all symptoms that can appear for monkeypox as it can be mild to serious depending on the type of individual who got the virus.
Most patients will start off with a rash that looks like a pimple which will go through different stages before it heals. The rash will last for a few weeks and may appear in the face/neck or other regions in the body. Other symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle ache, back pain and low energy.
Symptoms may last for a few weeks before going away through supportive care or on their own, however individuals will still remain infected after symptoms have gone and scabs have fallen off.
Monkeypox first originated from infected animals, until it came in contact with a person. Currently, monkeypox infects individuals from direct or sexual contact of rashes/scabs, bodily fluids, contaminated objects, and it can spread through the placenta during pregnancy.
It is still unclear how long the disease lasts for, however the virus still remains until scabs have fallen and a new skin layer is formed underneath.
Figure 2: Types of rashes originating from monkeypox
Risks Involving Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a prolonged exposure to an infected individual with the disease meaning that anyone is able to catch the virus through long time exposure. Others who can get the disease are individuals whow are in contact with an infected animal.
There have been larger number of infected cases with men who have sex with men since the virus is mostly active in social areas that gives them a higher risk of being infected. Currently, monkeypox is not identified as a socially infected disease.
Healthcare workers should follow control measures to protect themselves against the virus, infants and newborns are at higher risk of being infected due to their developing immune system.
Vaccination and Treatments against Monkeypox
If you are infected with the virus there are a few methods to be taken for prevention: cover the rash to limit its spreading, limit touching the rash until the scab falls off, continuously wash your hands, wear gloves to prevent irritation, notify anyone you were in contact with, remain isolated and use separate rooms and disinfect your living space.
Currently there arent any specific treatments for the virus but if infected, it is advised to contact your healthcare provider if any serious symptoms are shown. Medication can be used to cure headaches and fevers. The rash should also remain clean and dry using sterilised water.
An individual who got vaccinated for smallpox will have small resistance to monkeypox. There currently are not any vaccines available for monkeypox.
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