What is MONKEY POX?

Monkeypox is a disease which is caused by virus.

Symptom

Flu like symptoms like fever, headache, rash, swollen lymph node followed by rash which look like pimples or blisters.

It looks similar to SMALL POX rash.

Spread

  • Close skin to skin contact. 
  • Sex including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. 
  • Hugging and kissing.
  • Touching clothes and objects of the person suffering from monkey pox.


Severity of MONKEY POX

Symptoms of monkeypox generally vanishes on their own within a few weeks. In few rare cases they can lead to medical complications and even death. 

Newborns, infant, children and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of more serious symptoms and death from monkeypox.

How to prevent Monkey pox?

Vaccines are available to protect against smallpox that also provide little protection against monkeypox. 

MVA-BN (other name Imvamune, Imvanex or Jynneos) is a newer vaccine that was developed for smallpox and was approved in 2019 for use in preventing monkeypox.

Treatment 

Mostly symptomatic treatment which includes:-

  • Take care of the rash by letting it dry.
  • Covering the rash with a moist dressing to protect the area.
  • Avoid touching any sores in the mouth or eyes. 
  • Rinse mouth and maintain oral hygiene. 
  • Tear substitute eye drops. Avoid corticosteroid containing eye drop. 
  • In severe cases immunoglobulin like Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) may be recommend. 
  • Tecovirimat is an antiviral developed to treat smallpox, was also approved for the treatment of monkeypox in January 2022.