Want to know about Monkey pox virus disease

Monkey pox virus disease 

The incidences of the new virus disease outbreak have become quite common nowadays.  Followed by novel corona virus disease, the world health has been facing the global burden on health. This is still going on as the occurences of other viral disease outbreaks are reported in different countries..

One such virus disease is monkey pox. The first case of which was reported in Nigeria, Africa in the year 2022. Following this few cases were also reported in some parts of UK. 

In India also, the cases were reported in states like Kerala. 

Let us know what is monkey pox virus and why it is named so?

• Monkeypox virus disease is a kind of rare viral infection which is caused by a virus named monkey pox.
• As the disease mostly spreads to human though monkeys, it might be named so as monkeypox virus disease.
• Rodents such as mice, rats and nonhuman primate animals such as monkey are the major carriers of infection.
• These animals get infected with the monkeypox virus and then spread them to the humans.
• The virus mostly affects the human population as the animals usually don't get much affected by its adversity.
• The virus grows inside the human body and produces typical symptoms which may initially resemble symptoms of flu.

What are the symptoms of monkey pox virus disease?

Monkey pox virus can grow within our body and start producing symptoms within 2-4 days of infection. The illness lasts from 2-4 weeks. Some people may not show full symptoms. Some people only have mild symptoms. 

The following are the symptoms of monkeypox:

• Fever:  you may have fever initially within 1-5 days without even knowing you are affected by a pox virus.
• Headache: you my have severe headache alongwith fever.
• Skin rashes: typical skin rashes are a common characteristic of monkey pox infection. The skin rashes may first appear as flat spots or blemishes, these may turn into fluid filled blisters after few days. The fluid filled blisters turn into pustules or pus-filled eruptions. The pustules then dry forming scan all over. The dried scab then falls off leaving some scars. 

Sites of skin rashes: skin rashes are first found appearing on the face of the person. 

Following face, they may appear on your both hands, the back of your palms and then on your feet.

The skin rashes may also spread all over the body or different parts of your body.

Rashes may also form on the genitals in men ane women and around the anus.

You may develop respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion and coughing just like you do feel in flu. 

Bodyache: Muscle and back pain are common during monekypox infection.

Feeling of tiredness or fatigue is seen in people affected with this virus.

Swelling of the lymph nodes in the body.

What are the causes of monkeypox virus disease?

Monkeypox virus can be transmitted by rodents and monkeys. 

The causes and risk factors of having monkeypox disease are:

• Frequent contact with wild animals such as monkeys or rodents such as mice or rats.
• Consuming animal products made using infected animals
• International travels to countries where monkeypox virus cases are reported.
• Handling or taking care of infected monkeys or rats
• Weakened immune system 
• Pregnant women of infected can transmit the virus to the fetus via placenta 

How does monkeypox spread to humans?

Humans get this virus from animals. The infected animals such as monkeys are capable of transmitting tht virus to human in following ways:

When infected animals bite you, you can get this virus.

When you come in close contact with the body fluids of such infected animals, you are at risk of getting infection.

When you come in close contact with the open skin rashes of these animals that are already carrying the virus within their blood.

When you are in extended contact with such infected animals as you are a caretaker or veterinarian, you may be likely to acquire the virus from them.

Prolonged sexual contact may expose you to monekypox infection if one of the partner is having symptoms of infection.

Social gatherings or crowded places may also be a reason of spread of monkeypox virus.

If a pregnant lady gets infected with this virus, she may transfer the virus to her fetus. 

How does it spread from human to human?

• Once a human gets infected with the monkeypox virus, he or she may be a carrier of infection as along as the symptoms are present. 
• You can get infection from an infected person by following ways:
• If you come in direct contact with the person's skin rashes.
• If you are sharing the bed or bedsheets, blankets with the person who has I fecred monekypox skin rashes. Using same towel and sharing clothes can spread the infection to you.
• If you stay in extended close contact with your partner who has symptoms of monkeypox virus.
• If you are coming in contact with the body fluids of the infected person. 
• The virus does not spread easily from person to person through casual touch. Touching the infected open skin rashes may expose you to the infection more likely.

How can we know if we have monkeypox infection?

Diagnosis of monkeypox infection:

Monkeypox can be diagnosed by assessing the symptoms of the disease. 

If you notice any unusual skin rashes on your body, you may need to pay attention and visit your public health care.

The skin lesions may be swabbed to take skin swabs. These skin swabs are then tested in the laboratory to detect the presence of the virus.

Results of the skin swab test can be either negative or positive. If it is negative, you need not to worry but still be precautious and stay in quarantine for 14 days to see if if becomes worse or follows the stages as in monkeypox.

If the results are positive, you must separate or isolate yourself and seek medical help. You are at risk of spreading the infection to the people you live with and around you. 

Take care of your skin rashes as ordered by your doctor and follow all the prescribed care  for speedy recovery.  Do not come in contact with any person until your skin rashes heal completely and you develop an intact skin.

What is the treatment of monekypox virus disease? 

There is no such specific treatment of monkeypox. 

The doctors aim their treatment at relieving the symptoms by providing symptomatic treatment.

Treatment given to the patients suffering from monekypox includes:

• Separation and isolation for treatment and care 
• Fluid management is done by ensuring sufficient intake of fluids orally and if not possible, then intravenous fluids are administered.
• Pain management. Skin rashes may be painful and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered for pain relief.
• Muscle aches and back pain are also managed by NSAIDs.
• Ensuring intake of healthy diet for sooner recovery.

Can monekypox be prevented?

Any infection can be prevented by maintaining the hand hygiene. Hand washing kills most of the germs. As hands are the most common site for spreading infection through touch or contact, the importance of hand washing is highly recommended by our health care systems.

• Use of protective wears before handling the infected animals or pets. 
• Use of gloves before you touch the skin rashes of infected person.
• Avoid sharing any bedsheets or blankets or towels or clothes with infected person.
• If you have been bitten by any animal, you must seek immediate medical attention. Give yourself first-aid by washing the wound thoroughly with running water and antiseptic soap. Consult your doctor then.
• Immediate medical attention at the earliest must be sought if you feel you are having symptoms of monekypox virus.
• Visit your nearest public health facility as per the recommended guidelines for your area or nation.
• Vaccines help a lot in preventing the virus from infecting you. See the official CDC website for vaccine infection.
• Avoid any international travel if you have symptoms of monkeypox disease.
• Quarantine yourself if you have come from or exposed to the infection by travel.
• If you have rashes and you are planning to travel, make sure you are taking your treatment and keeping your rashes covered. Wear a tight-fitting mask and take medicines regularly.
• If you have rashes on your genitals, avoid coming into close contact with your partner.
• Wear protective facemasks all the time of you live in area with higher risk of exposure to the virus.
• If you are diagnosed with monekypox infection, isolate yourself from the family members until your rashes heal completely and other symptoms also subside . Don't forget to wear masks.
• Cover your skin lesions with bandage or some clothing fully to avoid exposure to other humans.
• Do not rub your scratch the skin lesions as it may quickly spread the infection from one site to other .
• Do not touch the infected lesions.  Avoid touching your eyes or other parts after you accidentally touch your skin lesions. 
• Although it may cause severe itching, try not to rub or scratch the lesions hard. This may also worsen the rash and delay healing process.
• Disinfect your living space when you are in isolation or in quarantine. Ensure every thing is properly disinfected and sanitised.
• Wash hands frequently for atleast twenty seconds.
• Talk with your public health care and get your vaccine shots as scheduled. 
• Monkeypox virus disease is a viral infection that is characterized by typical skin rashes and other flu-like symptoms.  It is spread by close contact with infected person. Monkeys and rats are the primary hosts who transmit the virus onto humans. Human to human transmission may occur thereafter through close or direct contact with the infected skin rashes or body fluids.

For more information and further updates visit : who and cdc official website.

Note.: This information is for educational and informational purpose only and it is not a substitute for medical advice.Seek medical care and treatment if you have any symptoms.