For the second time in recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has taken the extraordinary step of declaring monkeypox a global emergency. Since May 2022, outbreaks have occurred in several countries, including India. It is spread by close contact, skin-to-skin contact and droplet infection. So, one should be careful about all these factors.Also Read – Global COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations rise in last 5 weeks, WHO cites alarm
Dr Arvind Kumar, Director HOD, Paediatrics, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh talks about 10 fast facts about this infectious disease that one should know: Also Read – Monkeypox in India: ICMR virus isolates; Center asks to develop vaccine, diagnostic kits
What is monkeypox?
- Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by orthopoxvirus and was first described in monkeys, although the reservoirs are rodents. The disease causes fever, headache, body aches, painful rashes on the body and swelling of the glands.
Could it be serious or life-threatening?
- No, it is a mild illness in most people. Rarely, it can become severe in young children, pregnant women, or immuno-compromised individuals.
What are the symptoms?
- Symptoms appear 4 to 14 days after infection. Some common symptoms of the disease include painful rash, fever, muscle aches, severe headache and swollen lymph nodes. After the scab appears, the skin lesions are intensely itchy and symptoms can last up to 21 days.
How does it spread?
- Infection is also spread through small droplets from an infected person’s rashes, scabs, body fluids, sharing clothes and bedding, and kissing and hugging. Pregnant women can pass the disease to the baby in the womb.
Treatment for monkeypox
- When a person is infected with monkeypox, no treatment is required. Most people and children can be treated at home by self-isolation in a ventilated room, taking paracetamol for fever and pain, maintaining good hydration and applying soothing to skin lesions. If the eyes are involved. Eye care should be done under the supervision of an eye specialist. Monkeypox infection is a benign disease and usually resolves with oral treatment. However, as cases continue to spread around the world, it is important to maintain high hygiene standards and avoid crowded places to help control further spread of the virus.
Prevention of monkeypox
- Monkeypox can be prevented in several ways. This is as follows.
- Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
- Do not touch the rash or scab of an infected person
- Wear gloves and a mask when caring for an infected person
- Do not share utensils, clothes, bedding etc
- Dirty clothes can be washed in a washing machine with detergent
- Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based rub
What are the serious complications of monkeypox?
- Some serious complications of monkeypox are corneal involvement, encephalitis, sepsis, pneumonia, and secondary infection in skin lesions.
Are tests available for diagnosis?
- Tests are available from government agencies and the National Institute of Virology.
Are medications available for treatment?
- Medicines are not given regularly. However, drugs have been developed to treat smallpox and can be used in severe cases of monkeypox if needed.
Is there a vaccine for prevention?
- People with the smallpox vaccine (born before 1978) will have some protection. Vaccines exist, but their use is restricted.
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