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What is Mpox? What you need to know, Symptoms, Causes, Transmission, and Prevention.
- Peace Oregbesan
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has recently emerged as a significant health concern due to outbreaks in various regions. Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral infection which can spread between people and occasionally from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. Understanding and implementing effective prevention and control strategies is crucial for safeguarding both individual and public health. Here’s a concise guide to help you stay safe:
What are the symptoms of mpox
Mpox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. While some people have less severe symptoms, others may develop more serious illnesses and need care in a health facility. Those typically at higher risk of more severe symptoms include people who are pregnant, children, and persons who are immunocompromised, including people with untreated and advanced HIV disease.
Mpox causes signs and symptoms which usually begin within a week but can start 1–21 days after exposure. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
Common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks.
Other symptoms of mpox are:
- fever
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches
- back pain
- low energy
- swollen lymph nodes.
For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first.
The rash begins as a flat sore which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off.
Some people may have one or a few skin lesions and others have hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body such as the:
- palms of hands and soles of feet
- face, mouth and throat
- groin and genital areas
In most cases, the symptoms of mpox go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever. However, in some people, the illness can be severe or lead to complications and even death.
How Does Mpox Spread?
From person to person
Mpox spreads from person-to-person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox.
- face-to-face (talking or breathing)
- skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)
- mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
- mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
- respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact
The virus then enters the body through broken skin, mucosal surfaces (e g oral, pharyngeal, ocular, genital, anorectal), or via the respiratory tract. Mpox can spread to other members of the household and to sex partners. People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk.
The virus can also spread during pregnancy to the fetus, during or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent with mpox to an infant or child during close contact.
From animals to humans:
Someone who comes into physical contact with an animal which carries the virus, such as some species of monkeys or a terrestrial rodent (such as the tree squirrel) may also develop mpox. Exposure by such physical contact with an animal or meat can occur through bites or scratches, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, or preparing a meal. The virus can also be caught through eating contaminated meat which is not cooked thoroughly.
The risk of getting mpox from animals can be reduced by avoiding unprotected contact with wild animals, especially those that are sick or dead (including their meat and blood). In countries where animals carry the virus, any food containing animal parts or meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating.
From humans to animals:
There have been a few reports of the virus being identified in pet dogs. However, it has not been confirmed whether these were true infections, or whether the detection of virus was related to surface contamination.
Are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men at higher risk of contracting mpox?
The risk of mpox is not limited to people who are sexually active or gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk and any person with multiple sex partners is also at risk.
Diagnosis
Identifying mpox can be difficult as other infections and conditions can look similar. It is important to distinguish mpox from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmissible infections, and medication-associated allergies. Someone with mpox may also have another sexually transmissible infection such as herpes. Alternatively, a child with suspected mpox may also have chickenpox. For these reasons, testing is key for people to get treatment as early as possible and prevent further spread.
Mpox Treatment and Vaccination
The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications. Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems.
Getting an mpox vaccine can help prevent infection. The vaccine should be given within 4 days of contact with someone who has mpox (or within up to 14 days if there are no symptoms).
It is recommended for people at high risk to get vaccinated to prevent infection with mpox, especially during an outbreak. This includes:
- health workers at risk of exposure
- men who have sex with men
- people with multiple sex partners
- Sex workers.
Persons who have mpox should be cared for away from other people.
This is really insightful. Thank you for giving such a well detailed information.
Insightful
This is a good article!
Thank you for sharing this information about Mpox.
The clarity and timeliness of this article are truly appreciated. With the rampant spread of misinformation, having a reliable source that sheds light on the Mpox situation is invaluable. Your work informs and equips readers to make informed decisions about their health and safety. Thanks for contributing to public knowledge with such insightful analysis.
This write up is detailed and educative. Thank you, SRHIN.