Monkeypox, a rare viral infection has recently created massive havoc among most of us. That’s because the United States of America has already reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox infection. What’s more, the number of monkeypox infection cases is growing alarmingly in most parts of the world.
So, are you quite concerned and overwhelmed about monkeypox infection? If yes, then you have certainly come down to the right page! Please keep reading as we are going to reveal all details about how monkeypox transmission happens, symptoms to know, how to cure this infection, and much more too.
Quick Info about Monkeypox Infection
Monkeypox is caused by a virus (belongs to the Poxviridae family). This virus is known to transmit the infection from animals to humans. Unfortunately, this monkeypox virus is quite resistant in dry environments and extremely high temperatures. However, this is not a highly contagious disease. Hence, the infection can only happen when there’s prolonged direct contact between the infected person and the other ones. Let’s now find out the symptoms of monkeypox virus infection.
Symptoms to Note
Monkeypox causes mild or moderate symptoms in most cases. There are very less or rare possibilities of having severe symptoms. Also, infected people usually recover on their own, without any advanced medical supervision or specific treatment.
For example, it has been found that monkeypox symptoms will last between 6-15 days for infected persons. In some cases, the symptoms may last for 2-4 weeks. After this period, the infected person should naturally recover on his/her own. Also, note that there are not many fatalities of monkeypox infection yet. According to WHO, the fatality rate is 3%-6% for monkeypox infection.
Here’re the common symptoms of monkeypox:
- vesicular rash
- pruritus (itching)
- lesions
- sore throat
- fever
- backache
- swollen lymph nodes
- muscle pain
As mentioned, these symptoms should appear to be pretty mild or moderate in most cases. Nevertheless, there can be exceptions as well. Specifically, young children, chronic patients, and pregnant women may notice severe symptoms if their body lacks proper immune response.
In case you or any of your close relatives/friends have gotten infected with a monkeypox infection, please do not worry! It’s always advisable to contact your physician right away as soon as your notice the above-mentioned symptoms. Early precaution and timely measures should help an infected person to recover fast.
Based on your symptoms and the severity/intensity of those symptoms, your physician may recommend you to intake some medicines. In most cases, it’s found that doctors suggest medicines to alleviate fever and pain relief drugs. Also, doctors may even offer allergy relief medicines as well to overcome skin rashes and itching issues. In this context, please note that it is extremely important that you intake these medicines based on your doctor’s consent.
Without prior approval, please refrain from intaking any medications. Since we have already discussed the possible medications for monkeypox infection, you are recommended to purchase such medicines only from approved and certified drugstore platforms.
Nowadays, there are so many online drugstores operating on the internet. Many of them offer various medicines and home delivery facilities for your ordered medicines. However, not all of these drugstores are safe and reliable. Thus, please purchase medicines from only legit and certified drugstore platforms.
Monkeypox Vaccine
The good news is that monkeypox can now be overcome with proper vaccination. As per WHO, smallpox eradication program vaccines are effective against monkeypox infection. Researchers have proved that smallpox vaccines can offer good protection against monkeypox. In addition to it, scientists have also come up with newer vaccines.
To be more precise, one of the new vaccines has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox. In many countries, the rollout of this new monkeypox vaccine has already started. With this new vaccination available, the infection against monkeypox can be limited.
What to Know about Monkeypox Transmission
We have so far covered all the details about monkeypox infection, the symptoms, the fatality ratio, and vaccination. Let’s now talk about how this infection gets transmitted. Animal-to-human transmission of this infection usually occurs from direct contact only.
For example, blood, bodily fluids, and mucosal lesions of infected animals can spread the infection to humans. Generally, squirrels, rats, dormice, rodents, and different species of monkeys usually have monkeypox infections. Eating inadequately cooked or partially raw meat and other animal products of any infected animal can also cause infection in humans.
We have already covered how monkeypox infection can get transmitted from animals to humans. Let’s now talk about human-to-human transmission. The human-to-human transmission will result strictly from direct and close contact. Please note that respiratory secretions, contaminated objects, and skin lesions from an infected person can cause the transmission to others.
Monkeypox infection may also transmit from the droplets from coughing and sneezing of an infected person but of course, it happens only if there is prolonged close contact. Also, note that prolonged direct exposure including intimate contact can cause transmission.
Let’s now summarize the key points:
- Direct and close physical contact is the most probable risk factor for transmission of monkeypox infection.
- Transmission can occur from both infected animals to humans as well as infected humans to other humans.
- Transmission may also occur via the mother’s placenta to the fetus.
Conclusion
With this, you have revealed how monkeypox infection can be transmitted and spread among humans. However, the symptoms are mostly mild especially if your body has a proper immune response. Symptoms include fever, skin rashes, body pains, etc.
The new monkeypox vaccine has been found effective against this infection. Other than that, the smallpox vaccination is also found quite effective for limiting this infection. As per World Health Organization, the smallpox vaccine is as much as 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. If somebody has already taken the smallpox vaccination, they will notice very mild to moderate symptoms of monkeypox.
Other than that, the new monkeypox vaccination rollout has also kicked off in several countries to limit the transmission of monkeypox infection. Also, WHO has recommended that raising awareness about the possible risk factors and educating people about the available measures will further limit monkeypox infection transmission.
