Monkeypox Virus Infection – For the first time in history, a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is mainly found in Africa, has been diagnosed in Europe. While smallpox has been reported as endemic in several other Central and West African countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo, it has also been reported in the UK, USA, and various European countries such as France, Germany, and Italy.
Despite the fact that no cases of monkeypox virus were detected in India as of May 31, the Ministry of Health advised India to be prepared with increasing case reports in non-endemic countries.
It is estimated that people of all ages who have traveled to affected countries in the past 21 days with an acute unexplained skin rash and other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, body aches, and severe weakness may have monkeypox virus, Ministry of Health I said. However, such cases are only confirmed after “laboratory confirmation”.
Monkeypox Virus Infection – Symptoms
In humans, smallpox is identical to smallpox except that smallpox is associated with swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), monkeypox is not. Symptoms of the disease begin about 12 days after exposure and include:
- Fever.
- Headache.
- muscle pain and back pain.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- General discomfort.
- Fatigue.
A papular rash (prominent bumps) usually appears 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the onset of fever, with pimples most commonly appearing on the face and other parts of the body. Lesions usually go through several stages before crusting and completely exfoliating.
Monkeypox Virus Infections – Monkeypox Virus Precautions
- There are several precautions that can be taken to avoid monkey virus infection, including:
- Keep a safe distance between you and animals that could be carriers of the virus.
- You should avoid contact with anything that has been in contact with a sick animal. Includes bedding and related items.
- Patients who have been infected should be separated from others who may be infected.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching an infected animal or person. For example, washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer are effective methods of disinfection.
- The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is important when treating patients.
Monkeypox Virus Infection – What is the treatment for Monkeypox?
There is still no proven cure for monkeypox. WHO recommends maintenance therapy depending on the symptoms. Infected people are advised to self-isolate immediately.
According to the Ministry of Health guidelines on maintenance treatment of monkeypox, the rash should be cleaned with a simple antiseptic and covered with a light bandage for extensive lesions. Mouth ulcers should be treated with a warm salt water gargle
Doctors say monkeypox is a well-understood condition that can be effectively treated with available clinical drugs. “We urge the public not to panic and most importantly not to confuse monkeypox with other common viral infections,” said Dr. Hemlata Arora, Senior Advisor for Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Nanavati Hospital.
Coronavirus Live Updates: India reports 3,500 new Covid19 infections
Does sex spread monkeypox Infections?
It’s possible, but not clear at the moment.
Monkeypox has not been documented as sexually transmitted, but it can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, their bodily fluids, and their clothing or bedding.
Michael Skinner, a virologist at Imperial College London, said it was too early to determine how men in Britain were infected.
Francois Balu, from University College London, said the monkey’s sex pattern qualifies as the type of close contact necessary to transmit the disease.
The UK cases “do not necessarily imply a recent change in the way the virus is transmitted,” Balu said.