Recent times have seen a surge in the monkeypox virus. The outbreak of monkeypox has urged health experts and various health organizations to ask people to take responsibility to help tackle this virus.
Monkeypox, a poxvirus, causes pimples or blister-like lesions all over the infected person’s body and has flu-like symptoms such as fever. The lesions are mostly concentrated on the arms and legs of the infected person but exceptionally, monkeypox is concentrated in the genital and perianal area.
Dr. Jason Zucker, an infectious diseases specialist at Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, said, “classically, it presents like many other viral illnesses with what’s called a viral prodrome, and symptoms like fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and muscle aches are common. Within five days of the prodrome starting, patients develop a rash that can look like pimples and blisters.”
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox virus is contracted from direct physical contact with lesions and exposure to breathing shared in face-to-face interaction as well as touching objects contaminated by an infected person. The virus can also be passed on to a fetus via the placenta.
Most people contract the virus through sexual interaction. The virus spreads asymptomatically through semen or vaginal fluids.
Who can get monkeypox?
A person who has come in contact with someone having a monkeypox-like rash or a confirmed case of monkeypox is highly prone to this virus. Public health officials who are working to control the virus have observed the reason behind the rise in cases of men having sex with men, including gay and bisexual men. This has led to an uneven impact of this viral surge.
Zucker said, “the vast majority of those who have been diagnosed to date with human monkeypox virus are self-identifying men who have sex with men.”
In addition, people having weak immune systems due to HIV and eczema and children below 8 are also at a high risk to get monkeypox.
Monkeypox Symptoms
According to doctors, a person having a rash or other monkeypox symptoms need to avoid physical contact with people. It is suggested to wear a mask and quarantine themselves at home until the rash is no more.
How is monkeypox being treated?
Though there is no strict treatment for monkeypox yet, doctors are using antiviral medication to slow the virus down. So far, an antiviral medication called Tpoxx is made available for those who are infected. The doses are being to those with a weakened immune system and the ones at a severe stage. As per World Health Organization, “treatment for monkeypox should also include efforts to manage symptoms and complications.”
Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
There are two vaccines intended to prevent monkeypox, namely, ACAM2000 and Jynneos. The vaccines are being distributed based on the number of cases and the population at risk. Jynneos is a two-dose vaccine, with a four-week gap between doses.
The vaccines for monkeypox can be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and outbreak response PEP (PEP++).
PrEP vaccines are given to people in high-risk communities before they are exposed to the virus such as lab and health care workers. PEP vaccines are given to those already exposed to the virus to prevent the symptoms to rise. PEP++ vaccines are given to people with a confirmed case of monkeypox by taking the high-risk factors into account.
Who can get a monkeypox vaccine?
With supply shortages and eligibility restrictions, the monkeypox vaccines are high in demand. Those with confirmed cases of the virus are eligible to be vaccinated. People having presumed contact with their sexual partners in the past 14 days and those with multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days can get the vaccine. Also, people who are exposed to the virus such as lab and health care workers are eligible to be vaccinated.
How to prevent monkeypox?
Washing hands frequently, and avoiding contact with an infected person as well as social gatherings is highly recommended to prevent monkeypox. Since sexual contact is the most common for getting monkeypox, avoiding sex seems necessary. Maintaining a distance of 6 feet, keeping clothes on during sex, and using contraceptives reduces the risk of exposure.
