The World Health Organization said that the monkeypox is not yet a public health emergency of international concern.
More than 4,500 cases have been reported worldwide, and they already exceed 300 in the US. Although there is likely to be underreporting because contact tracing is not done. Everyone should know about the symptoms, how it spreads, and the risks.
Should I be worried about monkeypox?
Currently, Americans are at low risk of contracting monkeypox. It’s spreading among men who have sex with men, but it’s only a matter of time before it spreads to others.
As of June 27, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control had reported 10 cases in women.
It is usually a mild disease, but can be serious or even fatal for immunosuppressed people, pregnant women, fetuses or newborns, lactating women, young children and people with skin diseases, such as eczema. It could become endemic if it continues to spread unchecked.
How is it spread?
Monkeypox is a viral infection, a close cousin of smallpox.. But it causes a much milder disease.
It is spread through close contact, including sex, kissing, and massage – any kind of contact of the penis, vagina, anus, mouth, throat, or even the skin. In this outbreak, it has been transmitted mainly sexually.
Condoms and dental dams will reduce, but not prevent, all transmission because they only protect against transmission through the skin and mucous membranes covered by these devices.
It is important to know that the virus can enter through an opening in the skin, and penetrate the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, genitals, and anus.
Scientists don’t know if monkeypox can be spread through semen or vaginal fluid.
Monkeypox can be transmitted via respiratory droplets within a few feet, but it is not a particularly efficient mode of transmission. Airborne transmission, as with covid-19, has not yet been documented.
What are the common symptoms?
Symptoms can develop up to 21 days after exposure and may include fever and chills, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and headaches.
It is not known if he always shows any or all of these symptoms.
What does the monkeypox rash look like?
The rash usually starts with red spots. They then turn into fluid-filled bumps and then pus that may look like blisters or pimples.
These bumps then break open into sores and scab over. People with monkeypox should be considered infectious until the scabs appear and fall off.
These sores are painful. Previously, the rash was seen more on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, but many people in this outbreak have external and internal lesions on the mouth, genitals, and anus.
Also rectal pain or the feeling of needing to have a bowel movement when your bowels are empty.
How to get tested?
If a person has symptoms of monkeypox, they should be tested at a sexual health clinic. A medical professional should take a sample from any suspicious lesion for analysis.
There is also emerging evidence that throat swabs can detect monkeypox, but so far health officials do not recommend them.
Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
Yes. Two vaccines are effective in preventing monkeypox: the Jynneos vaccine and the ACAM2000 vaccine.
The FDA approved the Jynneos vaccine to prevent monkeypox and smallpox in people 18 years of age and older. ACAM2000 is approved by the FDA to prevent smallpox.
Currently, only the Jynneos vaccine is used in the country because it is safer and has fewer side effects. It has been tested on thousands of people, including those who are immunocompromised or have skin conditions.
Common side effects of the Jynneos vaccine are similar to those of other vaccines.: fever, fatigue, swollen glands and irritation at the injection site.
The Jynneos vaccine is effective in preventing monkeypox for up to four days after exposure and can reduce the severity of symptoms if given up to 14 days after exposure.
Can I get vaccinated against monkeypox?
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination against monkeypox only for those most at risk: people who have had close contact with someone infected; men who have sex with men and transgender women who have recently had multiple sexual partners in a place where the infection is spreading; and some health workers, first responders, and the military who might come into contact with those affected.
Currently, supplies of the Jynneos vaccine are limited. The Department of Health and Human Services will release 56,000 doses from the strategic national stockpile immediately. An additional 240,000 doses will be available in the coming weeks, 750,000 in late summer, and 500,000 this fall.
What are other ways to reduce the risk of monkeypox transmission?
The best way is to get informed. If the person is concerned, the CDC link is the best resource for finding a sexual health clinic: https://gettested.cdc.gov/.
You should refrain from having sex if one partner is infected. The CDC also warns about the risk of going to parties or places where people are scantily clad.
Is there a treatment for monkeypox?
There is no safe and proven treatment specifically for monkeypox. Most cases are mild and get better without treatment within a couple of weeks. Medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever and muscle aches. In rare cases, some patients will develop more severe disease and may require more specific treatment.
We recommend you:
Doctors are trying experimental therapies such as cidofovir, brincidofovir, tecovirimat, and vaccinia immunoglobulin. If given early in the course of infection, the Jynneos and ACAM2000 vaccines can also help reduce the severity of the disease.
What misinformation is circulating about monkeypox?
Conspiracy theories abound. But this infection is not a hoax. It is real. This infection was not invented by Bill Gates or by pharmaceutical companies. The virus did not come from a laboratory in China or Ukraine. Migrants crossing the border into Mexico do not bring monkeypox into the United States.
#monkeypox #cases #rise