Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs
when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus
. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).
How do you catch monkeypox?
Transmission of monkeypox virus
Can monkeypox be spread from person to person?
The virus is thought to be transmitted by respiratory droplets during direct and prolonged face-to-face contact. In addition, it is possible Monkeypox
can be spread by direct contact with body fluids of an infected person
or with virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding or clothing.
What is monkeypox and where does it come from?
Monkeypox was
first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research
, hence the name ‘monkeypox. ‘ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox.
What type of virus causes monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the
Orthopoxvirus genus in
the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus
How long is the incubation period for monkeypox?
The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is
usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days
. The illness begins with: Fever.
How can monkeypox be prevented?
Avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus
(including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs). Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick animal. Isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.
Who is most likely to get monkeypox?
In addition,
persons younger than 40 or 50 years of age
(depending on the country) may be more susceptible to monkeypox as a result of the termination of routine smallpox vaccination worldwide after the eradication of smallpox.
Is monkey pox highly contagious?
Monkeypox
is contagious
. Person-to-person transfer, probably by droplets, can occur infrequently. Risk factors for monkeypox include close association with African animals (usually rodents) that have the disease or caring for a patient who has monkeypox.
What the heck is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is
an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus
that can occur in certain animals including humans. Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and feeling tired. This is followed by a rash that forms blisters and crusts over.
What is the new virus monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis with incidental human infections that usually occur sporadically in forested parts of Central and West Africa. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (
MPXV
) that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus family.
What is the mortality rate of monkeypox?
Estimates of the case-fatality rate for monkeypox in Africa vary from
1% to 15%
, with the highest risk of death in young children. In one study of 300 patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the overall mortality rate was 10% and the mortality rate in unvaccinated children was 15-20%.
What is monkey flu?
Just like COVID-19, the “Monkey B Virus” exhibits flu-like symptoms like
fever, muscle ache, chills, fatigue, headache
. After catching the virus, the person may develop blisters on the wound. Other serious symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hiccups.
Does monkey pox cause scarring?
The skin lesions progress through papular, vesicular, pustular, and crust phases over a period of 14-21 days. The
lesions slough off and leave scars
. Monkeypox has a high fatality rate (10%-17%). However, the case-fatality rate for the 2003 outbreak in the United States was 0%.
Does monkeypox go away on its own?
Most cases of the virus are mild, sometimes resembling chickenpox, and
clear up on their own within a few weeks
. Monkeypox can sometimes be more severe, however, with one in 100 cases being deadly, according to the CDC. Though rare, the disease has been discovered in the US before.
Does monkeypox cause scarring?
It is from a different virus family than chickenpox. However, like chickenpox and smallpox, monkeypox causes a rash that forms into rounded poxes that
scab over and can scar
.
