Monkeypox is a rare disease which is caused by infection with monkeypox viruses. The outbreak belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family of Poxviridae. The disease was first discovered in 1958 in a colony of monkeys and then rediscovered in 1970. This was the first human case of this virus. The first case of monkeypox was recently reported on 13 May 2022. Alongside the Covid-19 scare, people are now petrified of another outbreak. Albeit, there have been no cases of monkeypox in India yet, however it's important to be versed with what this virus may bring upon us and our lifestyles.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
Dr. Chavvi Gupta explains that monkeypox does not spread by air like Covid-19. However, the disease is only transmitted due to close contact with an infected person. This means that physical contact like a skin-to-skin touch with an infected person who has an active rash can cause you to have the same symptoms. Monkeypox has severe and serious symptoms and uncomfortability. Some of them are;
- Rashes
- High Fever
- Chills
- Severe head or body ache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fatigue or restlessness
In an exclusive interaction with OnlyMyHealth, Dr. Chhavi Gupta, Consultant of Infectious Diseases, Fortis Hospital elucidates that although the virus has not touched down the Indian vicinity, it's important that one takes preventive measures for Monkeypox.
Also read: Monkeypox Does Not Spread By Air Like COVID-19: CDC; Here Is The Travel Precaution Advisory
Treatment and Prevention Of Monkeypox
There are no specific treatments available for the monkeypox infection anywhere around the world at the moment. However, the outbreaks can be controlled with the provided vaccination. A few ways you can prevent monkeypox are:
1. Avoid Physical Contact
If you know a person who is suffering from this virus dead or alive, make sure that you stay far away from him or her. You may also want to not have physical contact with the object, things and/ or animals that are touched by them.
2. Limit people from abroad
Monkeypox is triggered again recently from south africa. Ever since just like Covid-19, it is traveling from people to different parts of the world. Therefore, if you know someone who's coming from anywhere abroad, it is necessary that you don't meet them instantly. Isolate the person for about 2 weeks or more so that if any virus they may possess cascades away with time.
3. Wash your hands and sanitize
It cannot be stressed enough as to how important washing your hands is. Your hands travel more places than you can ever imagine. They are the more than a quater reason that may help the virus to enter your body. Wash your hands after you come home from anywhere outside or in general also. In case you cannot wash your hands around your immediate space, you may sanitize instead.
Also read: Monkeypox Virus: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Options
4. Vaccines
Smallpox vaccines have demonstrated to be very effective and efficient in preventing monkeypox and its severe measures. Therefore, the FDA has suggested to the medical experts that the new-generation smallpox vaccine could be used as an aid for monkeypox as well as it has shown brilliant results.
In order to protect yourself or people you love and to steer clear of this dreadful and uncomfortable illness, the doctor and onlymyhealth team suggests that you follow the preventive measures to take care of oneself. The world is starting to get back to normalcy after more than 2 years of Covid-19 scare. The world is just not ready for another pandemic. Ensure the tips and make the arrangements to make the world publicly livable for yourself and others from all around the world.
