Skip to main content
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the mpox (monkeypox) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, leading to symptoms such as painful rashes, swollen lymph nodes and fever. While most people fully recover, some may experiences severe illness. Although the risk of contracting monkeypox remains low, it’s crucial to stay informed and take precautions to protect yourself and others.
Understanding Mpox and It’s Symptoms
Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a range of symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Rash
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back pain
- Low Energy
- Swollen Lymph nodes
For some individuals, the first symptom may be a rash, while others might experience different symptoms first. The rash typically begins as flat sores, which develop into blisters filled with liquid. These blisters can be itchy or painful and eventually dry up, crust over and fall off. The rash can appear on various parts of the body, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, face, mouth, throat, groin, and genital areas. Some people may also experience painful swelling of rectum or difficulty urinating.
What to Do if You Have Mpox
If you suspect you have mpox, it’s essential to take the following steps:
- Notify Close Contracts: Inform anyone you’ve been in close contact with recently
- Stay Home: Remain at home until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.
- Cover Lesions: Cover any lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around others.
- Avoid Physical Contact: Steer clear of physical contact to prevent spreading the virus.
Children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for complications from mpox. It’s vital to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or if you fall into one of these high-risk categories.
Mpox vs. COVID-19: Key Differences
Understanding how mpox differs from COVID-19 is crucial:
- Virus Origin: Mpox is a well-known viral disease that has been around for a long time, while COVID-19 emerged from a novel coronavirus.
- Contagion Level: Mpox is significantly less contagious than the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Current evidence suggests that mpox spreads primarily through direct contact with bodily fluids, whereas COVID-19 is more easily transmitted through respiratory droplets.
- Impact on Healthcare: Mpox is rarely fatal and typically resolves on its own, posing a lower threat to healthcare systems compared to COVID-19.
- Global Consequences: Mpox is unlikely to have the same global healthcare and economic impact as COVID-19.
How Mpox Spreads
Mpox can spread from animals to humans and between humans. Here’s how:
Animal-to-Human Transmission: In endemic regions, mpox can spread through contact with infected animals, such as handling bush meat, animal bites or scratches, or contact with body fluids or contaminated objects.
Human-to-Human Transmission: Outside of endemic areas, mpox is primarily spread through close contact with an infected person. The virus can infect humans through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth). Transmission mainly occurs through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets or contaminated materials like bedding.
Preventing Mpox Infection
While the risk of contracting mpox is low, it’s important to be cautious:
- Avoid Contact: Steer clear of people suspected or known to be infected with mpox and avoid contact with potentially contaminated bedding and materials.
- Practice Safe Sex: Use condoms and dental dams to reduct the risk of transmission.
- Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Treatment and Recovery
Most people with mpox recover within two to four weeks without needing hospital treatment. the disease is rarely fatal, and revery rates are generally good. Two strains of monkeypox exist, and the current outbreak involves the strain with a case fatality rate of 1% to 3%.
- Supportive Care: Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on relieving symptoms until the disease resolves on its own.
- Isolation: Infected individuals should isolate to prevent spreading the virus to others. A person with mpox is contagious from the time a rash develops until all scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed.
Vaccination and Antiviral Treatment
The smallpox vaccine can provide protection against monkeypox, but it is currently not available in all countries. The WHO does not recommend mass vaccination campaigns to control the outbreak but instead advocates for contact tracing and isolation to limit the spread of the infection. An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.
As the mpox outbreak continues to evolve, staying informed and vigilant is key. By understanding the symptoms, transmission methods, and preventive measures, we can all contribute to controlling the spread of this disease. Stay safe, practice good hygiene, and seek medical advice if you suspect you have been exposed to mpox.
