7 Things You Must Know About Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox cases continue to rise and another country has been added to the list of monkeypox affected nations, making it a total of 20 countries. Most of the cases have been detected in UK, US, Spain, Portugal and Germany. Total number of monkeypox cases have risen to 220 now and many others are still being investigated. There are still 88 suspected cases that could be added to the list of monkeypox soon. Monkeypox virus was first detected in UAE on 24th May 2022. Since then, there have been many speculations and researches on this virus and its transmission. Today we are here to bust some myths and tell you about some important facts about monkeypox virus that can keep you aware and safe from the virus. 

Facts to Know About Monkeypox Virus 

1. Monkeypox Virus- What is it? 

For those who do not know monkeypox is a viral infection similar to smallpox. This causes rashes, blisters and boils on the skin. It starts from the face and monkeypox virus symptoms spreads to the hands, legs and back to the whole body. Monkeypox virus is caused by orthopoxvirus that results in diseases like smallpox. The cases have been confirmed in 20 countries so fat with 220 confirmed cases of monkeypox infection. 

2. Symptoms of Monkeypox

As mentioned earlier, monkeypox causes small red blisters or rashes on the skin most of the times. This grows dusky and gets dry in a few days and falls off. Other than that, monkeypox symptoms also consist of the following- 

• Fever 
• Headache 
• Pain in muscles 
• Chills 
• Backache 
• Exhaustion 
• Swelling in the lymph nodes 

3. How Does Monkeypox Spread? 

Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes in close contact with another infected person or animal. The cases of human to animal transmission could be through direct contact or because of touching a contaminated surface with monkeypox infection. The monkeypox virus enters the body through broken skin, nose, eyes, mouth or respiratory tract. It can even spread if an infected person sneezes or coughs in front of you and the droplets go inside your body. 

Also Read- Tomato Flu Detected In Kerala: Here Is All You Should Know

4. Monkeypox Virus Treatment 

Unfortunately, these is no particular cure that could treat monkeypox virus as of yet. However, there are some ways of controlling monkeypox virus from spreading, you can take anti-viral medications with consulting medical experts and vaccine for smallpox.  

Is there are Vaccine for Monkeypox? 

There is not particular vaccine for monkeypox but since this virus shows similar traits with smallpox infection, thus it has been recommended to take smallpox vaccination, if you haven’t taken yet. 

5. Prevention for Monkeypox Virus 

There are some ways that Centre for Disease Control suggests in order to prevent monkeypox virus from infecting you. Here are some given measure that you might apply- 

1. Avoid contact with animals, especially those are sick or unvaccinated 
2. Do not touch any material such a bedding, things that have been used by person infected from monkeypox.  
3. Infected patients should be kept under isolation to minimize risk of transmission 
4. Take care of personal hygiene and hand hygiene to prevent getting infected with monkeypox 
5. Use personal protective gears while diagnosing or caring a person with monkeypox virus. 

6. Monkeypox Death Rate 

Well, according to World Health Organization, monkeypox virus infection does not cause many fatalities. There has been no recorded death of monkeypox virus infected person so far which is good news. Monkeypox fatality rate is also less than 1% according to the health organization doing research on this virus. Another vital point is that most of the people infected from monkeypox start healing once the boils dry up. 

Also Read- Monkeypox Virus: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Options

7. Is Monkeypox a “Gay Disease”? 

NO, it is not. There have been many assumptions and notions that monkeypox is coming out to be a gay disease but most of them have been denied. Initial testing of the genome sequencing tells that monkeypox strain does not have anything to do with ‘gay sex’. However, since it can spread by coming in close proximity, therefore it can spread through physical or sexual contact with the infected person.

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