Frequently Asked Questions About Monkeypox
1. What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It can also spread between people.
2. Why is this disease called "monkeypox"?
The disease is called monkeypox because it was first identified in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It was later discovered in humans in 1970.
3. What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox symptoms usually appear within a week but can emerge as early as one day and up to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms typically last between two to four weeks but may persist longer in individuals with weakened immune systems. Common symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a skin rash. The rash usually appears within one to three days after the fever begins and is often concentrated on the face, hands, feet, and other areas such as the trunk and genital region. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within two to four weeks. Some may require supportive care, which includes managing the rash, relieving pain, and preventing complications.
People with severe cases of monkeypox, such as newborns, children, and those with compromised immune systems, may experience complications such as skin infections, pneumonia, eye infections that could lead to vision loss, and in some cases, the disease's severity could be fatal.
4. How is monkeypox transmitted?
The monkeypox virus can spread from person to person through:
- Exposure to the virus through mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, genital area) or broken skin.
- Close physical contact, such as touching scabs, body fluids, or contaminated items like clothing, bedding, or surfaces.
- It may transmit through Inhalation of respiratory droplets exhaled from an infected person during face-to-face contact.
To reduce the risk of infection, avoid direct contact with infected individuals and refrain from using their personal belongings.
5. How can I protect myself and others from monkeypox?
Most people with monkeypox recover within 2-4 weeks. To help alleviate symptoms and prevent spreading the virus to others, you should:
- Stay home and isolate in your room.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially before or after touching skin lesions.
- Wear a medical mask and cover the rash when around others until fully healed.
- Avoid sharing personal items with others.
- Use saline mouthwash for mouth sores.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are not allergic to them.
Avoid the following:
- Do not pop blisters or scratch sores, as this can slow healing, spread the rash to other parts of the body, and lead to infections.
- Do not shave areas with sores until they heal, and new skin has formed, as this can spread the rash to other parts of the body.
To prevent spreading monkeypox to others, infected individuals should isolate at home, or in a hospital if necessary, during the contagious period (from the onset of symptoms until skin lesions have fully healed). Covering the rash and wearing a medical mask when around others can help prevent transmission.
6. Can children get monkeypox?
Children can contract the virus through close contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces and body fluids. The virus can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth.
7. What should I do if I think I have monkeypox?
If you suspect that you have monkeypox, it is important to consult your healthcare provider. In the meantime, wear a medical mask, cover the rash, and avoid close contact with others until you are tested or receive medical advice.
8. Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
Yes, the JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of monkeypox in individuals aged 18 and older. The vaccine can help prevent the disease or make it less severe, with the optimal time for vaccination being within four days of exposure to an infected person.
Note: If monkeypox symptoms have already appeared, it may be too late to receive the vaccine, and the affected person should consult a doctor for evaluation and advice on treatment.
9. What should I do if I think I have been exposed to monkeypox?
Receiving the monkeypox vaccine can help prevent infection, especially if administered within four days of exposure.
10. Is there treatment for monkeypox?
Monkeypox symptoms often resolve on their own without the need for treatment. It is important to care for the rash by allowing it to dry if possible or covering it with a moist dressing to protect the area if necessary. Avoid touching any sores in the mouth or eyes; mouthwash and eye drops can be used as long as they do not contain corticosteroids. Some severe cases may require immune therapies or specific antiviral treatments, depending on the healthcare provider's assessment.
11. Where in the world is there currently a risk of monkeypox?
Human cases of monkeypox have been reported in many countries around the world, but most cases are currently concentrated in Africa.
For awareness materials …Click Here