On this page, you will find everything you need to know about Monkeypox (Mpox).
What is Monkeypox?
It is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a zoonotic viral infection, which means it can spread from animals to humans and can also spread from person to person.
What are the symptoms of Monkeypox?
The incubation period of monkeypox (the interval from infection to the onset of symptoms) usually ranges from 6 to 13 days but may last from 5 to 21 days. The most common symptoms of monkeypox include:
- , headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, followed or accompanied by a skin rash that may last for 2 to 3 weeks.
- The rash may appear on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, thighs, and genital or anal areas.
- The rash may also appear in the mouth, throat, or on the eyes.
- The number of lesions (blisters) can range from one to several thousand. Lesions begin flat, then fill with fluid before crusting, drying, and falling off.
- The infected person remains contagious until all lesions have crusted over.
What are the causes of Monkeypox?
1. Animal-to-human transmission:
In countries where animals carry the monkeypox virus, it can spread to humans when they have direct contact with an infected animal, such as ground rodents, antelopes, gazelles, or tree squirrels, through:
- Bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, or cooking.
- Consuming infected animals if they are not cooked properly.
2. Human-to-human transmission:
Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with a person with a rash via:
- Face-to-face contact (talking, breathing, singing closely), which generates droplets or aerosols.
- Skin-to-skin contact (such as touching or sexual contact).
- Mouth-to-mouth contact (kissing) or mouth-to-skin contact (kissing the skin).
3. Environmental contamination:
The virus can contaminate surroundings when an infected person touches clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics, or surfaces. Another person can get infected by touching these items and then touching their eyes, nose, or mucous membranes, especially if they have cuts.
4. Mother-to-child transmission:
- Transmission during pregnancy to the fetus.
- During or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from an infected parent to the infant or child through direct contact.
What are the diagnostic methods?
The doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination, and may order additional procedures as needed, such as:
- A person with monkeypox symptoms who had contact with an infected person or traveled to a country with confirmed cases. In such cases, diagnosis is confirmed (positive) by laboratory confirmation (PCR) through a blood sample to detect the virus.
What are the treatment methods for Monkeypox?
Treatment may include several measures as needed, including:
- Antiviral medication for monkeypox.
- Treating secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics.
- Vaccination against smallpox is highly effective in preventing monkeypox.
What are the preventive methods for Monkeypox?
- Avoid unprotected contact with wild animals.
- Cook all animal meat or products thoroughly before eating.
- Avoid contact with materials that have been in contact with an infected person.
- Always practice good hand hygiene, especially before eating or touching your face.
- If you have been in contact with an infected person, isolate yourself from others.
- Wear personal protective equipment when caring for infected individuals.
What are the complications of Monkeypox?
Monkeypox can lead to other problems,such as:
- Secondary infections and bronchopneumonia.
- Brain or eye infections (such as corneal infection), which may result in vision loss.
- .
When should you see a doctor?
- When you feel nauseous with fever, aches, or swollen lymph nodes, and have a rash or new lesions.
- If you have been in close contact with someone infected with monkeypox.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between Monkeypox (Mpox) and Chickenpox?
Although both cause blisters or rash, the viruses that cause monkeypox and chickenpox are different. Chickenpox is highly contagious and spreads more easily than monkeypox. Also, people with monkeypox are more likely to develop swollen lymph nodes compared to those with chickenpox.
What is the difference between Monkeypox (Mpox) and Smallpox?
Both smallpox and monkeypox belong to the same family of poxviruses, but they are different. Thanks to effective vaccines, smallpox was eradicated (no longer a prevalent disease) by 1980.
