Monkeypox

What is monkeypox?

Also known as "monkeypox", "simian pox" is a disease discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks occurred in monkey colonies in a reserve. Although it clearly refers to monkeys and is common among these animals, in reality its origin is unknown.

This disease is therefore not new, although it is rare. The first reported case in humans was recorded in 1970, and after that, cases have been reported mainly in Africa. There are also cases around the world, widely identified as exported, by travels, both of people and animals.

It is a disease caused by the simian smallpox virus, which belongs to the same family as smallpox. Symptoms are very similar to smallpox, being generally mild, although there have been severe cases. It has a case fatality rate of about 3 to 6%. It is not related to chickenpox.

Symptoms of monkeypox last from 2 to 4 weeks and are transmitted by close contact with an infected person or animal or material contaminated by the virus. The vaccines used against common smallpox provide protection against monkeypox, and new vaccines have been developed to prevent this new outbreak.

 

Signs and Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that occur with this disease are as follows:

• Fever
• Skin rashes, the most characteristic of which are similar to boils (white pimples), located on or near the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, genitals or anus.
• Swollen lymph nodes (neck, clavicles, armpits, groin).
• Chills
• Tiredness
• Headache, muscle, back and/or throat pain
• Nasal congestion or cough

 

It is not obligatory to present all the symptoms, although rashes are the most common by which the disease is identified. It is common for the rash to show in different stages, first with pimples or blisters accompanied by pain or itching and generally passing through scabbing and subsequent healing.

Symptoms usually begin within three weeks after exposure to the virus, and it is contagious from the time of the first symptom until the rash is completely healed, the scabs fall off, and they are replaced with a new layer of healthy skin. The entire course of the disease is usually 2 to 4 weeks.

 

How is it transmitted?

It is transmitted from one infected person or animal to another by close contact with the infected person or animal:

• Injuries, 
• Body fluids (blood, sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid).
• Saliva droplets when speaking
• Contaminated materials in contact with the infected person (clothing, bedding, towels, etc.)

Within the possible chains of contagion, sexual activities are clearly identified, considering:

• Oral, vaginal or anal sex, with or without penetration, just by direct contact.
• Kissing
• Prolonged face-to-face contact

The use of condoms does not prevent infection.

It has also been detected that the infection can pass from a pregnant mother to her baby through the placenta.

To confirm the disease, a sample of the rashes is taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

 

What is the treatment?

Although the smallpox vaccine provides some protection because the viruses belong to the same family, it does not completely prevent the spread of smallpox.

Like smallpox, treatment is offered to control and relieve symptoms, manage complications and prevent long-term sequelae. In general, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and eat a soft diet, as well as the medications prescribed by your doctor.

 

Always remember that the best medicine is preventive medicine.

 

Bibliography

https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about.html