Monkeypox: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

According to experts, monkeypox belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which looks like smallpox. This also includes the Variola virus. Small pox is caused by this virus. Monkeypox(Mpox) in animals first appeared in the year 1958.

In the midst of the coronavirus epidemic, the number of monkeypox patients is also increasing rapidly. Monkeypox has knocked in many countries of the world including India. It is an infectious disease, which is caused by contact with an infected person or animal.

According to experts, monkeypox belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which looks like smallpox. This also includes the variola virus.

Causes of Monkeypox(Mpox):

Smallpox is caused by this virus. Monkeypox in animals first appeared in the year 1958. When monkeypox infection was found in monkeys. At the same time, in the year 1970, for the first time in humans, monkeypox was found in a child of Congo. However, after the eradication of smallpox in the year 1980, it has emerged as a serious problem.

Monkeypox spreads through rodents such as dormice, striped mice, Gambian rats, and African rope squirrels. Monkeypox is a communicable disease spread through both animal-to-human contact and human-to-human contact.

Spreads from an infected animal to a human through scratching, licking, or biting; through contact with body fluids or lesions of an infected animal; or by preparing or eating meat of an infected animal.

Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox can occur through contact with an infected person’s skin lesions, blood, or body fluids, including via sexual activity, spreads by touching infected body areas like the eyes, mouth, or genitals, or surfaces that have been in contact with an infectious person, such as bedding or towels.

After coming into contact with infected respiratory droplets created when coughing or sneezing can also lead to infection.

It is possible for pregnant women who are infected with monkeypox to transmit the virus to their foetus.

Since India has also found some patients with Monkeypox disease, the Government of India formed a Task Force to closely monitor the emerging situation in the country and decide on response initiatives to tackle the spread of the disease.

How does Monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox spreads through contact with infected fluid from the body of an animal or person suffering from monkeypox, bites, touches, etc. In particular, it spreads more by rats, squirrels, and monkeys. At the same time, there is a risk of monkeypox by touching the things kept around the person suffering from monkeypox. Apart from this, having a physical relationship with a person who is already suffering from monkeypox can also result.

What are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?

• fever
• headache
• muscle pain
• back pain
• Swollen lymph nodes
• chills
• Exhaustion
• skin eruption
• body rashes
• sore throat
• frequent coughing
•  lethargy
• itching problem

How to prevent Monkeypox?

• Everyone should comply with the guidelines issued by the government. If anyone is suffering from monkeypox, then one should definitely get the smallpox vaccine.
• Maintain the proper distance from an infected person to prevent the infection. If anyone sees the symptoms of the monkeypox, immediately contact the Doctors.
• Wash hands with soap and clean water after coming in contact with an infected person. Apart from this, make sure to use sanitizer. Do keep a sanitizer with you.
• Wear a mask while leaving the house.

What is the treatment of Monkeypox?

There is currently no cure for monkeypox. Get vaccinated against smallpox if you have monkeypox. Keep in touch with the doctor.

Conclusion

The Monkeypox outbreak is an international emergency. human-to-human and animal-to-human transmission is continuously rising so it is essential to do clinical research and prevention. Making people aware of monkeypox, will enable people to be away from the virus.