Introduction
You may have heard the word “monkeypox” on the news or from people around you and wondered, “What exactly is monkeypox?” Don’t worry! In this article, we’re going to explain everything(Understanding monkeypox) you need to know about monkeypox simply. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand what monkeypox is, how it spreads, how to protect yourself, and why it’s important to know about it.
What is Monkeypox (Understanding Monkeypox)?
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family as the smallpox virus, which you might have learned about in history class. Smallpox was a very serious disease that affected millions of people around the world before it was eradicated (completely gotten rid of) thanks to vaccines. While monkeypox is related to smallpox, it’s usually less dangerous.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. That’s how the disease got its name. However, despite its name, monkeypox is not only found in monkeys. In fact, the virus is more commonly spread by small animals like rodents, including rats, mice, and squirrels.
How Do People Get Monkeypox?
Understanding how monkeypox spreads is important because it helps us know how to protect ourselves and others. Here’s how people can get monkeypox:
- From Animals: The monkeypox virus can spread from animals to humans. This can happen if a person touches an infected animal, gets bitten or scratched by it, or even eats meat from an infected animal that hasn’t been cooked properly. In areas where monkeypox is more common, like certain parts of Central and West Africa, people are often warned to avoid contact with wild animals, especially rodents.
- From Other People: Just like how the flu can spread from one person to another, monkeypox can also be passed between people. This happens through close contact. For example, if someone with monkeypox has a rash or sores, the virus can be passed if another person touches the rash. The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, though this usually requires being close to the infected person for a longer time.
- From Contaminated Objects: The monkeypox virus can live on surfaces or objects that an infected person has touched, like clothes, bedding, or towels. If someone else touches these contaminated items and then touches their face, eyes, or an open wound, they could catch the virus.
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
When someone gets monkeypox, they usually start to feel sick within 1 to 2 weeks after being exposed to the virus. This period is called the incubation period. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of monkeypox and how they progress:
- Fever: The first symptom of monkeypox is often a fever. The person may also feel very tired and not want to do much. This is because the body is starting to fight off the virus. Along with the fever, the person might experience chills, which means they feel cold and shivery.
- Headache and Muscle Aches: As the fever sets in, the person might also get a headache and feel pain in their muscles, back, or joints. These aches and pains can make it hard to move around or do normal activities.
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: Another symptom that can appear is swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small glands in the body that help fight infections. You can feel them in places like your neck, under your arms, or in your groin area. When they swell up, they can feel sore or tender.
- Rash: After a few days of having a fever and aches, a rash starts to appear. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, like the arms, legs, and even the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash goes through several stages.
- Flat Red Spots: At first, the rash looks like flat red spots on the skin.
- Raised Bumps: The spots then turn into raised bumps that can be itchy or painful.
- Blisters: After that, the bumps fill with clear fluid and turn into blisters.
- Pus-Filled Sores: The blisters then fill with pus, which is a thick, yellowish fluid.
- Scabs: Finally, the sores form a crust or scab, which eventually falls off. Once all the scabs have fallen off, the person is usually no longer contagious.
- Healing: The entire illness can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Most people start to feel better as the rash heals. However, it’s important to keep the sores clean and avoid scratching them to prevent infection and scarring.
Is Monkeypox Dangerous?
While monkeypox can make people feel very sick, most cases are not life-threatening, especially in countries where medical care is available. However, there are some cases where monkeypox can be more serious:
- For Children: Younger children are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Their immune systems, which help fight off infections, are still developing, making them more vulnerable to the virus.
- For Pregnant Women: Pregnant women are also at higher risk. The virus can potentially cause complications for both the mother and the baby.
- For People with Weak Immune Systems: People who have weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments, or other chronic illnesses may have a harder time fighting off the infection, which can lead to more severe symptoms.
In some cases, monkeypox can cause complications such as pneumonia, and eye infections that can lead to vision loss or infections in the brain. While these severe cases are rare, they highlight the importance of getting medical care if someone shows symptoms of monkeypox.
How Can We Stay Safe from Monkeypox?
The good news is that there are several simple steps we can take to protect ourselves from monkeypox:
- Avoid Contact with Wild Animals: One of the best ways to prevent monkeypox is to avoid contact with wild animals, especially in areas where the virus is known to be present. This includes not touching, feeding, or keeping wild animals as pets, and being cautious about eating wild animal meat, which should always be cooked thoroughly.
- Wash Your Hands: Handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of many diseases, including monkeypox. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching animals, being in crowded places, or before eating.
- Use Protective Gear: In certain situations, like if you’re caring for someone who is sick, it’s important to wear protective gear like gloves and masks to reduce the risk of getting infected. This is especially important for healthcare workers or anyone who might be in close contact with an infected person.
- Vaccination: Although there isn’t a specific vaccine for monkeypox, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide some protection against the virus. In certain cases, such as during an outbreak, healthcare authorities might recommend vaccination for people who are at higher risk of exposure.
- Avoid Close Contact with Infected People: If you know someone who has monkeypox, it’s important to avoid close contact with them until they have fully recovered. This includes not sharing items like clothes, bedding, or towels, and keeping a safe distance if they are coughing or sneezing.
What Should You Do if You Think You Have Monkeypox?
If you start to notice symptoms of monkeypox, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who has the virus or has recently traveled to an area where monkeypox is more common, it’s important to take action right away:
- Tell an Adult: If you’re a student or a younger person, the first thing to do is to tell a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or school nurse. They can help you figure out the next steps.
- See a Doctor: It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you might have monkeypox. The doctor can run tests to confirm if you have the virus and give you advice on how to take care of yourself. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the virus from spreading to others and reduce the severity of the symptoms.
- Isolate Yourself: If the doctor confirms that you have monkeypox, you’ll need to stay home and avoid contact with other people until you’re no longer contagious. This means staying in a separate room if possible, not sharing items like towels or utensils, and wearing a mask if you need to be around others.
- Take Care of Yourself: While you’re recovering, it’s important to take care of your body. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, and follow any advice or medication given by your doctor. Keep the rash clean and avoid scratching it to prevent infection.
How is Monkeypox Treated?
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but doctors can help manage the symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. Here’s how they might help:
- Pain Relievers: If you have a fever or body aches, doctors may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce the fever and ease the pain.
- Fluids: Staying hydrated is very important when you’re sick. Drinking water, herbal teas, or clear broths can help prevent dehydration, especially if you’re sweating a lot due to the fever.
- Antiviral Medications: In some cases, doctors might prescribe antiviral medications to help your body fight the virus. This is more likely if you have a weakened immune system or are at risk of developing severe symptoms.
- Wound Care: The rash can be painful and itchy, but it’s important to keep the sores clean and dry. Doctors might recommend using antiseptic creams or bandages to protect the sores from getting infected.
Interesting Facts About Monkeypox
To make learning about monkeypox more interesting, here are some cool facts:
- It’s Not Just a Human Disease: While we mostly talk about how monkeypox affects people, it’s important to remember that this virus also affects animals. In fact, it’s believed that the virus circulates naturally among animals in Africa, and humans only get infected occasionally.
- Monkeypox vs. Chickenpox: Many people confuse monkeypox with chickenpox because they both cause rashes. However, they are caused by different viruses and have different symptoms. For example, chickenpox usually causes a more widespread and itchy rash, while monkeypox rashes are often more painful and can develop into pus-filled sores.
- A Virus with a Long History: Even though we only started paying more attention to monkeypox recently, it has actually been around for a long time. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, there have been occasional outbreaks in various countries, especially in Central and West Africa.
- A Modern-Day Concern: Recently, monkeypox has made headlines because of outbreaks outside of Africa, including in places like Europe and the United States. These outbreaks have raised awareness about the virus and the need for global health measures to prevent its spread.
Monkeypox might sound like a complicated or even scary disease, but by learning about it and understanding how it spreads, we can take simple steps to stay safe. Remember, monkeypox is usually not life-threatening, and most people who get it recover fully. By avoiding contact with wild animals, washing your hands regularly, and seeing a doctor if you think you’re sick, you can protect yourself and others from the virus.
Conclusion
Knowledge is power, and by understanding monkeypox, you’re helping to keep yourself and your community safe. Stay informed, stay safe, and don’t forget to share what you’ve learned with others!
