Monkeypox: how it is transmitted, what the symptoms are and what to do to avoid getting infected

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Monkeypox: how it is transmitted, what are the symptoms and what to do to avoid catching it

How is monkeypox transmitted?

According to the WHO , in initial cases the is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids, lesions or mucous membranes of animals that have been contaminated with the .

For its part,  the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) explains that the virus enters the body through wounds, even if they are not visible, from the or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth.

When it comes to human-to-human transmission, the CDC indicates that it can occur when:

  • A bite or scratch occurs
  • By improperly cooking from infected animals
  • Before direct contact with fluids or indirect contact with injured material
  • Through contaminated bedding

The WHO indicates that transmission occurs mainly by droplets after prolonged face-to-face contact with a person who contracted the virus “which exposes family members of active cases to a greater risk of infection.”

The infection can also be transmitted by inoculation or through the placenta. However, the WHO indicates that to it has not been shown “that person-to-person transmission alone can sustain virus infection in humans.”

It can also spread from person to person through droplets, usually in a closed environment,  according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC).

What are your symptoms?

Monkeypox usually has milder symptoms than smallpox. According to the CDC, the illness begins with fever, , aches, back pain, chills, swollen lymph nodes—a symptom that smallpox does not have—and exhaustion. Up to three days after having a fever, you can develop a rash on your face and body that progresses to scab-like skin lesions.

The incubation period—, the time from when a person is infected to when they have symptoms—for monkeypox is usually 7 to 14 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days, the  CDC reports . The illness usually lasts between 2 and 4 weeks.

People who may have symptoms of monkeypox, and those who have close contact with them, should contact their doctor if they have unusual rashes or lesions.

“The infection can spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person; however, there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population,” read a  statement  from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Watch out for possible symptoms

The health authorities of several countries, including several Latin American countries, have been put on alert to quickly identify any potential case of monkeypox, in order to offer treatment, trace contacts and prevent the spread of the virus.

To do this, health agencies have recommended that their populations pay attention to the symptoms and see a doctor if there is suspicion of being infected, especially if you have been traveling in the last three weeks (the incubation period of the disease).

The UK Health Security Agency (Ukhsa) points out that, at the beginning, the symptoms of the disease are usually similar to those of the and include:

  • fever
  • Back pain
  • shaking chills
  • exhaustion
  • swollen lymph nodes

The most characteristic symptom appears 1 to 5 days after the fever: a rash develops that often starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, mainly hands and .

In many of the current cases, people have reported the appearance of the rash in the genital area.

The way these types of blisters look changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab that then falls off.

If a person presents this type of rash, they should see a doctor and isolate themselves to avoid transmitting the disease to others.

monkeypox virus particle tem spl
IMAGE SOURCE, [SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY]

Monkeypox virus particle.

Watching for symptoms is key, because monkeypox, unlike is not  transmitted  before people develop symptoms .

The Cleveland Clinic explains that one person can infect another until all the scabs have fallen off and there is intact skin underneath.

Avoid close contacts

In the UK, where one of the highest numbers of cases has been reported so far, authorities are investigating as a pattern that many of the sufferers are men who have sex with other men.

Although some theories have been valued, such as that the virus has mutated and can now also be sexually transmitted, British epidemiologists and virologists believe that in the end this is due to the fact that the virus has continued to be transmitted in a way already known:  close skin contact . with skin

For this reason, the British health agency has decided to contact clinics that care for LGBTI people to alert these groups of potential risks associated with the spread of monkeypox through intimate contact.

Susan Hopkins, the Ukhsa's chief medical adviser, explained that one of the measures to take is to  ensure the appearance of skin lesions .

“We for men who are gay and bisexual and aware of any unusual rashes or lesions to contact a sexual health service without delay if they have concerns,” he said.

apepox
IMAGE SOURCE [GETTY IMAGES]
One of about 20 patients infected with monkeypox in the United States in 2003, when the first cases were reported in the Americas.

British LGBTI organizations have recommended that people be aware of any rash on their potential sexual partners and that this new disease and its symptoms be discussed openly in the event of a chance encounter.

The potential for transmission from one person to another  does not occur only through  contact  during sex .

The Ukhsa explains that the spread can be through any:

  • contact with clothing worn by an infected person (including bedding or towels)
  • direct contact with lesions or scabs on the patient's skin
  • coughing or sneezing from an infected person

That is why the health authorities recommend not wearing clothes or having close contact with people who may be sick and, if you have symptoms, isolate yourself and once you recover, wash your clothes, including towels and sheets.

They also suggest using disposable tissues in case of coughing and sneezing and, if you can, avoid doing it with other people around you.

Hygiene and other care

In this sense, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC) recall that washing hands continues to be a decisive action against this virus.

“Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans. Wash your hands with soap and or use an alcohol-based hand rub,” the CDC recommends.

The Cleveland Clinic recalls that, in Africa, the disease  has become more frequent in children , so parents should also apply this care to minors.

smallpox
PICTURE SOURCE [UKHSA]

The rash changes and goes through different stages, and can resemble chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which then falls off.

Although so far it has not been detected in animals, other outbreaks of monkeypox have originated in some species transported from Africa.

For this reason, the Cleveland Clinic generally recommends  thoroughly cooking all that contain or animal parts .

Some public health experts have also recommended that people who travel internationally be attentive to the recommendations of local authorities and follow their indications and protocols, if they exist, to avoid potential infections.

If you work with people who are infected in hospitals, clinics, or health centers, the CDC recommends that you use personal protective equipment.

Is there a vaccine?

A recently approved vaccine for monkeypox exists, but it is not widely available, the WHO reports  in an outbreak information update published May 21 .

The smallpox vaccine, however, has shown an 85% efficacy in preventing monkeypox, according to the agency, and “it can contribute to a milder disease course,” he added .

The downside is that, since the eradication of smallpox in 1979, this vaccine has not been widely available either, according to the organization.

The WHO affirms that the only way to reduce infections is to educate the population about what the risk factors are and how to reduce exposure. For example, reducing the risk of transmission from animals to people by avoiding any contact with rodents and primates in endemic regions and limiting direct exposure to blood and meat, and their thorough cooking.

In the case of person-to-person transmission, the WHO indicates that it is necessary to avoid contact with people infected with the virus, so the isolation of patients at home or in health centers is recommended.

Sources:

CNN, BBC

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