What to Know About Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads from animals to humans and from person to person when they come into close physical contact. Knowing about monkeypox is as relevant as knowing about darmowe spiny za weryfikację. The Monkeypox virus is a double-stranded DNA virus. The disease has a similarity to smallpox but with fewer rashes and the mortality rate is lower as compared to the latter. In 1958, monkeypox was first found among the cynomolgus monkeys kept in laboratories for testing. This is how this viral disease was termed monkeypox.
Symptoms
Main symptoms of this disease are fever, headache, muscle and body pain, and fatigue. From the first to the third day of fever, rashes and lesions can be seen on the infected person. They occur in the face, palms, and feet. The number of lesions may range from a few to thousands. Lesions may contain white or yellow fluids and may be flat or slightly raised. In some patients, they are also found in the mouth, eyes, and even genitals. The symptoms will be present for a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks.
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox spreads from animals to humans by coming into unprotected contact with affected animals. Animal bites can also cause monkeypox. Even the blood or meat of the infected animal can spread the disease. In endemic countries where animals are prone to the disease, meat should be cooked completely to avoid the spread.
Human-to-human spread also happens by encountering the infectious rashes, fluids in the lesions, and even the skin of the infected person. Saliva of the patient can carry the virus. If a pregnant mother gets affected, the disease can even attack the fetus through the placenta.
Vaccination
Vaccines that protect against smallpox show some resistance to monkeypox also. A new vaccine by the name MVA-BN was approved to give protection against monkeypox, but it is not available in most parts of the world. Those who are vaccinated against smallpox may have some protection, but smallpox was completely eradicated by 1980, so the vaccine for smallpox has no reason to be available.
Monkeypox in 2022
In 2022, the disease was first recognized in the UK. The first case was confirmed to be an individual who had a travel history to an African country that is endemic to the disease. From the middle of May, more cases were reported in Europe and other continents of the world which are not endemic to monkeypox. By June 9th, 1290 cases of monkeypox had been reported. The chances of the disease being widespread are low because it spreads only by physical contact.
Conclusion
Avoiding physical contact with infected people is the best way to get protected. If the affected person is your family member or if you are a health worker, then wearing a mask and disposable gloves is necessary. Hand washing thoroughly using soap and rubbing hand sanitizers will help. The clothes, bed coverings, and other things like utensils that are used by the patient must be washed in warm water with detergent.
