Understanding Monkeypox: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

What is Mpox or Monkeypox?

Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox, a virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. It is a potentially severe infection that has recently gained global attention due to an unprecedented outbreak across multiple countries.

The monkeypox virus is quite close to the virus that causes smallpox, though it is typically less severe. The disease was first discovered and identified in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, hence the name “monkeypox.” However, the primary animal reservoirs are thought to be rodents, such as squirrels, rats, and prairie dogs.

Monkeypox is endemic in several Central and West African countries, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred. However, the recent multi-country outbreak, which began in May 2022, has raised concerns and prompted a coordinated global response.

What are the Symptoms of Mpox or Monkeypox?

The symptoms of monkeypox typically appear within 6 to 16 days after exposure to the virus, although the incubation period can range from 5 to 21 days. The illness usually begins with:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

Within one to three days after the onset of fever, the characteristic rash appears, often seen on the face first & then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses through several stages:

• Flat, red spots (maculopapular rash)
• Raised, fluid-filled bumps (vesicular rash)
• Pus-filled blisters (pustular rash)
• Scabs or crusts

The rash can be painful and have other manifestations, such as sore throat, cough, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

How Does the Mpox Virus Spread?

The monkeypox virus can spread through various routes, including:

• Direct Contact with Infectious Bodily Fluids or Lesions: The virus can travel through close physical contact with an infected person’s lesions, respiratory droplets, or bodily fluids (saliva or pus from the rash).
• Indirect Contact with Contaminated Materials: The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, clothing, bedding, or other substances in contact with an infected person’s lesions or respiratory droplets.
• Respiratory Transmission: While not as common, the virus can spread through respiratory droplets.
• Animal-to-human Transmission: In some cases, the virus can be transmitted from infected animals to humans, primarily through direct contact with infected animals or excretions.

It’s important to note that the current outbreak has primarily been driven by human-to-human transmission, predominantly through close physical contact or exposure to contaminated materials.

How to Prevent Mpox Infection

Preventing the spread of monkeypox is crucial to controlling the outbreak. Here are some key prevention measures:

• Avoid Close Physical Contact: Maintain physical distance from individuals suspected or confirmed to have monkeypox, and avoid direct skin-to-skin contact, including intimate contact.
• Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Frequently wash your hands properly with soap & water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, especially after contact with individuals who may be infected or after handling potentially contaminated materials.
• Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If you are caring for someone with monkeypox or handling potentially contaminated materials, wear appropriate PPE, such as gloves, gowns, and masks.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Do not share clothing, bedding, towels, or other personal items with individuals who may be infected.
• Practice Safe Sex: Abstain from sexual activity or limit intimate physical contact with individuals who may be infected or have symptoms.
• Get Vaccinated: While there is no specific vaccine for mpox, the smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide some protection against monkeypox. Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk individuals or those exposed to the virus.
• Isolate if Infected: If you develop symptoms of monkeypox, isolate yourself from others and seek medical attention immediately to prevent further transmission.

What is the Treatment of Mpox?

While there is no antiviral treatment for monkeypox, several supportive measures can help manage the symptoms and prevent complications:

• Supportive Care: Treatments focus on relieving symptoms, such as fever, body aches, and pain from the rash. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage fever and pain.
• Hydration & Nutrition: Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition is essential during the illness to support recovery.
• Antiviral Medications: In individuals at high risk of complications, antiviral medicines like tecovirimat or brincidofovir may be considered, although their efficacy against monkeypox can vary.
• Vaccination: For individuals who have been exposed to the virus, vaccination with the smallpox vaccine may help prevent or reduce the severity of the disease if given within a specific time frame after exposure.
• Isolation and Infection Control Measures: Isolating infected individuals & implementing appropriate infection control measures are crucial to prevent further transmission.

It’s important to note that most cases of monkeypox resolve independently within 2-4 weeks without specific treatment. Still, medical care may be necessary in severe cases or for individuals at higher risk of complications.

What are the Complications of Mpox?

While monkeypox is generally a self-limiting illness, some individuals may experience complications, particularly those with weakened immune systems or certain underlying health conditions. Potential complications of monkeypox include:

• Secondary Infections: The lesions caused by the monkeypox virus can become infected with bacteria, leading to secondary skin infections, pneumonia, or sepsis (blood infection).
• Scarring: The lesions may leave permanent scars, especially if they are not appropriately treated or the individual develops complications.
• Encephalitis (Brain Inflammation): In rare cases, the monkeypox virus can spread to the brain, causing encephalitis and leading to severe neurological complications or even death.
• Blindness: If the virus spreads to the eyes, it can cause corneal scarring or blindness.
• Pregnancy Complications: Monkeypox infection during pregnancy can lead to complications such as congenital disabilities, stillbirth, or preterm delivery.
• Dehydration and Malnutrition: Severe cases of monkeypox can cause dehydration and malnutrition, particularly in young children or individuals with weakened immune systems.
• Death: While rare, monkeypox can be fatal, especially in individuals with weakened immunity or those who develop severe complications.

Prompt medical attention & appropriate treatment can help prevent or manage these complications.

Conclusion

Monkeypox can be a serious viral disease recently gaining global attention due to an unprecedented multi-country outbreak. Understanding the symptoms, modes of transmission, and prevention can control the spread of the virus & protect public health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is monkeypox a new disease? 

No, monkeypox is not a new disease. It was first identified in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, and sporadic outbreaks have occurred in several Central and West African countries. However, the recent multi-country outbreak has raised global concerns.

How serious is monkeypox? 

While monkeypox is generally a self-limiting illness, it can be potentially serious, particularly for people with weakened immunity or certain underlying health conditions. 

Can monkeypox be fatal? 

While rare, monkeypox can be fatal, especially with weak immune systems or those who develop severe complications. However, most cases resolve on their own with supportive care.

How does monkeypox spread? 

During prolonged face-to-face contact or enclosed spaces, monkeypox spreads through direct contact with infectious bodily fluids, lesions, contaminated materials, or respiratory droplets. 

Is there a vaccine for monkeypox? 

While there is no vaccine for monkeypox specifically, the smallpox vaccine has demonstrated some protection against monkeypox. Vaccination may be recommended for high-risk individuals or those exposed to the virus.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox? 

Some symptoms are headache, fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion, followed by a characteristic rash that progresses through various stages, including flat, red spots, raised bumps, pus-filled blisters, and scabs or crusts.

How can I prevent monkeypox infection? 

Some preventive measures include restricting close physical contact with infected patients, adhering to good hand hygiene practices, using personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, avoiding sharing personal items, practising safe sex, getting vaccinated if recommended, and isolating if infected.