Everything About Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus. It is characterized by fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and widespread rash. The rash causes redness and lesions on the face, as well as on the hands and feet.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus. It is characterized by fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and widespread rash. The rash causes redness and lesions on the face, as well as on the hands and feet.

Most cases of monkeypox occur in Central and West Africa. While monkeypox is rare in the United States, several confirmed cases were reported in 2021.

Monkeypox is also a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans and from humans to animals. It can also be transmitted from person to person.

What causes monkeypox?

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, which also includes the virus that causes smallpox.

Scientists first identified the disease in 1958, after two outbreaks among monkeys used for research. This is why the disease was named monkeypox.

The first human case of monkeypox was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

The symptoms of monkeypox resemble those of smallpox. However, the symptoms of monkeypox are generally milder.

After contracting the monkeypox virus, it may take about 5 to 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. In many cases, this period is 7 to 14 days.

Early symptoms include:

• Fever, which is usually the first symptom
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Chills and shivering
• Swelling of the lymph nodes, known as lymphadenopathy

After the fever appears, rashes usually begin 1 to 3 days later. The rashes are most commonly seen in the following areas:

• The face, which is the most common area
• The palms of the hands
• The soles of the feet
• The mouth
• The genital area
• The eyes, including the conjunctiva and cornea

The rashes typically appear in the following forms:

• Macular or flat pale-colored lesions
• Blister-like or slightly raised lesions
• Vesicles or fluid-filled bumps
• Pustules filled with yellow fluid, resembling boils
• Scabs from sores

Once the lesions dry out and form scabs, they will eventually fall off.

Monkeypox symptoms generally last for 2 to 4 weeks and usually resolve without the need for treatment.

Can monkeypox lead to other diseases?

Possible complications of monkeypox include:

• Bronchopneumonia (pneumonia caused by viruses)
• Sepsis, or blood poisoning
• Encephalitis, which is inflammation of brain tissue
• Infection of the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye
• Secondary infections
• Corneal infection may lead to vision loss.

In rare cases, the lesions may merge and cause patchy shedding of the skin.

Where is monkeypox found?

Monkeypox is primarily active in the tropical, rural areas of Central and West Africa. Since 1970, it has been reported in the following countries:

• Benin
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Ivory Coast
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Gabon
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Republic of the Congo
• Sierra Leone
• South Sudan

Most infections have been reported in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

If you live in or are traveling to these countries, take necessary precautions for your safety. Avoid contact with animals that may be infected with monkeypox. Similarly, avoid interacting with people who may have been exposed to the virus.

How is monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with infected animals or humans in the following ways:

• Through blood
• Through body fluids
• Through skin and mucosal lesions
• From human to human via droplets

Viruses can enter the body through the respiratory tract, mucosal membranes, or broken skin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that human-to-human transmission is very low. The disease typically spreads through prolonged face-to-face contact without maintaining a safe distance and through droplet transmission. The virus can spread if you come into contact with others for three hours or more without maintaining a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters.

Transmission can also occur through the following ways:

• Bites or scratches from infected animals
• Consumption of infected animal meat
• Contact with contaminated items, such as bed linens

The main carrier of the disease is not known. It is believed that African rodents may play a role.

Is monkeypox deadly?

According to the CDC, 1 in 10 cases of monkeypox leads to death. Those in high-risk groups are more likely to experience severe illness. The high-risk groups include:

• Children and young individuals
• Prolonged exposure to the virus
• Weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses

2021 U.S. Monkeypox Cases

There were two confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States in 2021. Both were related to international travel.

In July 2021, a case was detected. The individual had traveled to Nigeria and returned to the United States. They traveled on two separate flights and came into contact with 200 people. The CDC instructed these 200 people to monitor their symptoms, but no new cases were reported.

Another case occurred in November 2021. The individual had traveled to Nigeria and returned to the United States. Since then, no further monkeypox cases have been reported.

How is Monkeypox Treated?

Currently, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox. However, monkeypox is self-limiting, which means it can resolve on its own without treatment.

To control the outbreak and prevent the spread of the disease, some medications may be used. These include:

• Chickenpox vaccine
• Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG)
• Antiviral medications

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the chickenpox vaccine is about 85% effective in preventing the development of monkeypox. If you had the chickenpox vaccine as a child and contract the monkeypox virus, your symptoms may be mild.

In 2019, a vaccine was approved to prevent both chickenpox and monkeypox. However, it is not yet widely used.

Who Should Be Screened for Monkeypox and How is It Diagnosed?

It is important to get screened for monkeypox in the following situations:

• If you live with someone who has had monkeypox
• If you work with individuals who have monkeypox
• If you have traveled to a country where monkeypox is more common
• If you have interacted with imported animals
• If you have been bitten or scratched by infected animals
• If you have eaten undercooked meat or other products from infected animals
• If you have visited tropical rainforests or live near them

How is the Diagnosis Made?

Doctors use several methods to diagnose monkeypox:

Medical History

This helps your doctor assess your risk of the disease, including your travel history.

Laboratory Tests

This involves testing fluids from lesions or dried scab samples. These samples are tested for the virus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Biopsy

In a biopsy, a sample of skin tissue is taken and tested for the virus.

Blood tests are generally not recommended, as the monkeypox virus remains in the blood for a short time. Therefore, it is not the most accurate test for diagnosing monkeypox.

Useful Information

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans and from humans to animals. It can also spread from person to person.

The initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and swelling of the lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, it causes rashes on the face and hands/feet. The rashes consist of lesions that turn into fluid-filled blisters, which will later dry and peel off. The rashes typically start on the face and then move downward, usually to the arms and legs, but they can also appear on other parts of the body.

Monkeypox is primarily seen in the tropical regions of Central and West Africa. If you have recently traveled to these areas, it is recommended to undergo a monkeypox screening.