The monkey pox was declared public health emergency in the United States on August 4, 2022. It is a zoonotic caused by an orthopoxvirus, endemic in parts of Africa.
It is characterized by high fevers and skin rash that leave scabs and generate infectious fluids. According to the data of registered cases in the United States, the 99% of those infected are men; of them 94% reported having had intimate or sexual contact with another man.
The WHO has called on the population to maintain vigilance and care against this virus, for which it is essential to identify its signs and symptoms.
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explain that, classically, the monkeypox occurs in three stages.
After an incubation period of approximately 1 to 2 weeks, malaise characterized by fever and sudden swelling of various lymph nodes occurs. Followed by the appearance of a deep vesicular or pustular rash that often begins in the center and spreads to the extremities
“Transmission of monkeypox can occur through direct contact with the rash, scabs, or infectious body fluids, through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face or intimate physical contact, or by touching items. , such as clothing or bedding, that have previously been touched by a person with an infectious rash,” they note.
The patients are contagious until the scabs fall off and a layer of intact skin forms.
“A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms begin until the rash has completely healed and a new layer of skin has formed. The disease usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks,” they add.
8 routes of contagion of monkeypox
The 8 routes of contagion verified by the CDC are:
1) Through the skin by direct contact with monkeypox rashscabs, or body fluids from an infected person.
2) Through the skin for touching objectsfabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
3) Contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person.
4) The intimate contact increases the risk of contagion because it is close to respiratory secretions. That’s why you’re more likely to get infected by having oral, anal, and vaginal sex or by touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or the anus (anus) of a person with monkeypox.
5) Through hugs, massages and kisses.
6) Prolonged face-to-face contact.
7) Touching fabrics and objects during sexual intercourse that were used by a person with monkeypox and have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish items, and sex toys.
8) A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through the placenta.
The CDC says it’s also possible for people to get the monkey pox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
Scientists are still unclear if the virus can spread when someone doesn’t have symptoms. They also continue to investigate whether it can be spread through semen, vaginal fluids, urine, or feces.
Symptoms of monkeypox
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and back pain
swollen lymph nodes
Shaking chills
Exhaustion
Sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough
A rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or the anus (anus), but it can also be in other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. They may look like sore pimples or blisters.
