Everything we know about the Monkeypox so far

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.

What are Signs and Symptoms of the Monkeypox?

People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

• The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

You may experience all or only a few symptoms

• Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
• Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
• Others only experience a rash.

How long do monkeypox symptoms last?

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

How the monkeypox spreads?

Monkeypox spreads in a few ways.

Close or Intimate Contact

Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions.

This direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with monkeypox.
• Hugging, massage, and kissing.
• Prolonged face-to-face contact.
• Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.

A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks

Scientists are Still Researching

• If the virus can be spread when someone has no symptoms
• How often monkeypox is spread through respiratory secretions, or when a person with monkeypox symptoms might be more likely to spread the virus through respiratory secretions.
• Whether monkeypox can be spread through semen, vaginal fluids, urine, or feces.

Monkeypox Testing Basics

Test tubes labeled “Monkeypox virus positive and negative” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

When to Get Tested

• Currently, testing is only recommended if you have a rash consistent with monkeypox.
• If you think you have monkeypox or have had close personal contact with someone who has monkeypox, consider taking precautions and visit a healthcare provider to help you decide if you need to be tested for monkeypox.

Where to Get Tested

• Only a healthcare provider can order a monkeypox test. The healthcare provider may take a specimen and send it to a lab for testing or they may send you to a lab for both specimen collection and testing.
• Contact your local health department with any questions and to find out what the testing options are for your community.

What to Expect When You Get Tested

• You will likely need to fill out paperwork before you get tested.
• To get a specimen to test, the healthcare provider will use a swab to rub vigorously across lesions of your rash. They will take swabs from more than one lesion.
• This swabbing may be uncomfortable but is necessary to get enough material to detect the monkeypox virus from the specimens.
• The specimens will be tested in a lab to see if the monkeypox virus is detected.
• Results are usually available within a few days.
• While you are waiting for your results, take precautions to avoid getting or spreading monkeypox virus to others.

What Your Results Mean

• If your test result is positive, take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others until you have completely recovered from your infection.
• If your test result is negative: a negative test result means the test did not detect the virus and you probably do not have monkeypox. Continue to take steps to protect yourself and others.
• If your test result is inconclusive: that means that your test will need to be conducted again because not enough of the specimen was taken.

How to Protect Yourself and Others?

At this time, data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox outbreak. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.

Following the recommended prevention steps and getting vaccinated if you were exposed to monkeypox or are at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox can help protect you and your community.

What To Do If You Are Sick with Monkeypox?

Monkeypox typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Learn what you can do to take care of yourself as you recover, including managing symptoms and rash relief.

• There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox. But because the viruses that cause monkeypox and smallpox are similar, antiviral drugs developed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox effectively.
• The antiviral drug tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat smallpox in adults and children. Drugs developed to treat smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox.
• If you are prescribed TPOXX, you will be asked to sign a consent form stating you understand TPOXX is an investigational drug that has not yet been approved by the FDA for treatment of monkeypox. Investigational means there is not currently enough data available from testing in people on the safety and effectiveness of TPOXX for treating people with monkeypox.
• Research is currently happening to test the safety and effectiveness for all people with monkeypox.
• TPOXX is currently only for people with severe monkeypox disease or who are at high risk of severe disease, like people with weakened immune systems or skin conditions, such as HIV that is not virally suppressed and eczema.
• TPOXX may help prevent or minimize severe monkeypox disease involving the eyes, mouth, throat, genitals, and anus (butthole). It may provide relief for short-term symptoms such as pain, swelling, and abscesses and long-term effects such as scarring.
• If you have monkeypox symptoms, visit a healthcare provider.

By CDC

Related

Source: Vietnam Insider