Monkeypox Outbreak

Monkeypox Outbreak – The world is not just limited to COVID-19 or coronavirus. There are a huge number of viruses in the world. Some of those viruses are deadly, while some impose mild risk. One of those viruses is the monkeypox virus. Believe it or not but monkeypox virus is haunting most countries and health experts in the world.

Before the outbreak of 2022, everybody thought that the Monkeypox virus was just limited to central and some other regions of Africa. The outbreak of 2022 has become a surprise for most health experts in the world as it is spreading at a rapid speed in Western countries.

Till 3rd August 2022, the virus had already crossed 25,000 marks worldwide and at 6500 marks in the United States alone. The current virus has started several social problems in the United States. A huge number of people have been blaming the gay community for this outbreak. At the same time, the shortage of vaccines and Expired bottles of vaccines are also creating a huge controversy in the country.

There are some preventive measures you can use to protect yourself against the virus, and you should also learn everything about the monkeypox outbreak to ensure your safety along with the safety of your family. We will also take a look at how monkeypox spreads.

What is the monkeypox virus?

The latest outbreak of the monkeypox virus has created a huge controversy and confusion among the general public. Monkeypox virus is not a gay disease or sexually transmitted disease.

Monkeypox virus was first discovered back in the 1950s when two colonies of monkeys kept for research started showing symptoms like a pox virus. Because the virus was found in colonies of monkeys, the health experts named it as monkeypox virus.

The first human case of the monkeypox virus was discovered back in the 1970s in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monkeypox virus is also associated with smallpox virus as they are from similar families. Anyone can get infected with the virus, and you should follow all the precautions you were following for COVID-19.

How does monkeypox spread?

Before we move ahead and talk about anything else related to the monkeypox outbreak, let’s first take a look at how monkeypox spread. There are so many misunderstandings regarding the monkeypox virus because of its latest spread.

The monkeypox virus is not a sexually transmitted disease, and it is also not just limited to the LGBTQ community or men who have intercourse with other men. Anyone in the world, including children, can get infected with the monkeypox virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a set of guidelines stating how monkeypox spreads. 

  • As per the CDC guidelines, the monkeypox virus can spread through close, personal, and skin-to-skin contact. 
  • To avoid a monkeypox virus, you should not have any direct contact with someone infected with a virus. 
  • Touching the infected person over touching the objects used by the infected person can also spread the virus. 
  • You should not use the fabrics, including bedding, clothing, and towels used by someone infected with the virus. 
  • Kindly use a good mask to prevent any respiratory secretions.
  • The monkeypox virus can also spread through intimate contact. You should avoid hugging, massaging, and kissing anyone infected with the virus. 
  • Lastly, a pregnant woman can also spread the monkeypox virus to the fetus through the placenta.

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention further mentioned that the monkeypox virus could also spread through animals. You should take full precautions while you are treating any debt or ill animal. The virus can also spread through an animal scratch or bite.

You should also avoid using meat from an infected animal. Rodents and primates are known to be the carrier of the virus, but it can also spread through other animals.

Monkeypox Outbreak
Monkeypox Outbreak

The incubation period of the monkeypox virus

Similar to any other virus in the world, there is an incubation period for the monkeypox virus. The incubation period is the time before you start developing symptoms related to exposure to the virus.

For example, you get exposed to the virus on the 1st of August 2022, and you start developing symptoms related to the virus on the 7th of August 2022. That means your incubation period was around six days.

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe there could be a 5 to 12 days incubation period for the monkeypox virus.

It means there is a probability that you might spend 5 to 12 days without knowing that you have been infected with the virus. That timeframe is very dangerous as you will infect others without even knowing that you have been infected with a virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also believe there is an incubation period of five to 12 days or 5 to 24 days, depending on the immunity of the affected person.

Symptoms of the infection of monkeypox virus

If you get exposed to the virus, then how would you get to know that you have been infected with the virus? Health experts around the world suggest everyone learn about the symptoms of the infection of the monkeypox virus to ensure your safety along with the safety of your friends and family.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released several press statements stating signs and symptoms of the monkeypox virus. As per the CDC, a person might develop below-given symptoms after getting exposed to the virus.

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Backaches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • Skin rash
  • Genital rash
  • Blisters

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention further mentioned that there is a probability that you might only experience one or two symptoms from the long list of general symptoms of the monkeypox virus.

Skin rash or genital rash, along with blisters, is among the most common symptoms of the monkeypox virus in the 2022 outbreak. To prevent the infection of viruses, you should consult all these symptoms with your intimate partners.

Diagnosis and treatment of monkeypox virus

By taking a look at the above-given symptoms, you might be able to self-diagnose yourself as infected with the monkeypox virus or the suspected case. If you believe you have an infection or you are the suspected case, then you should consult with your health care provider as early as possible.

A person can spread the monkeypox virus to another healthy person, so you need to start the treatment as early as possible.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose and rule out other probabilities by taking a look at your symptoms and getting to know more about your personal life. Your doctor might ask you about your travel history, sexual orientation, and sexual history.

Once your doctor has ruled out the other probabilities, then you might be suggested to grow for biopsy or lab testing. There are several private testing laboratories in the United States providing services for the diagnosis of monkey viruses. Your samples might be sent to LabCorp, Mayo Clinic laboratory, Quest Diagnostics, etc.

Treatment

You might not be surprised to know that there is no specific treatment for the monkeypox virus. If you have been infected with a virus and your diagnosis has been proven, then your doctor will use the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention for the treatment.

A lot of people might be able to get better on their own at home by using some precautions. The doctor might be able to provide you with some antiviral drugs as other drugs are not approved for the monkeypox virus in the United States.

As per the Centers for Disease control and prevention, people with severe monkeypox disease, children younger than age, pregnant women, and patients who are immune compromised should be considered for antiviral treatment. 

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention Also suggested that infected patients get the vaccine. Yes, the vaccine for the monkeypox virus can also work if you have been recently exposed to the virus or you have started developing symptoms in the last two to four days.

To get vaccinated, you should consult with your health care provider or public health officials in your country. Due to the shortage of vaccines, the Centers for Disease control and prevention is not having any mass vaccination drive in any state in the country.

How to prevent the monkeypox virus

The best treatment for the monkeypox virus could be prevention. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests everyone prevent the monkeypox virus as much as possible and follow all the guidelines on the same.

  • Avoid having any close contact with someone who has been infected with a virus.
  • Do not have any intercourse with an unknown person whose sexual history is unknown to you.
  • Keep washing your hands at regular intervals.
  • Kindly wear a mask and gloves.

Is the monkeypox virus limited to homosexuals?

Even though the latest monkeypox outbreak of 2022 has been infecting homosexuals, it doesn’t mean that it is limited to a specific community. Anyone in the world can get infected with a virus, and it is also not a sexually transmitted disease.

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