The route of transmission and how to prevent it should be done immediately

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus related to the common smallpox. It is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus.

2. What causes monkeypox?

According to the documents, the monkeypox virus strain belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus in the virus family Poxviridae, was first discovered in 1958 in two outbreaks similar to smallpox that occurred in monkeys in the laboratory, so the disease caused the disease. This is also called monkey smallpox.

However, until now, it is not certain that monkeys are the cause of this outbreak. According to WHO, it is likely that rodents are the biggest source of infection, however, it is still not possible to determine exactly where the infection comes from, so it is waiting for researchers.

3. Monkeypox transmission route

– Previously, in the literature, there were recorded cases of monkeypox that was transmitted directly through contact with infected people (contact with blankets, sheets, pillows, mattresses, bed linen, clothes, towels, …) of infected person.

– The medical literature also has not recorded whether monkeypox is sexually transmitted or not. However, according to information from WHO, many of the current cases of monkeypox are among men who have sex with men and bisexuals, so this issue needs to be studied in more detail.

– Monkeypox can be transmitted by direct contact with blood, body fluids, respiratory droplets, wounds on the skin or mucous membranes of an infected person (or of an infected animal).

– In addition, eating infected animals, coming into contact with sick people’s items (pillows, pillows, towels, clothes, …) or coming into contact with skin lesions of sick people can also get sick. monkeypox infection.

– This disease can also be transmitted from mother to fetus and lead to congenital monkeypox, and infants who are in close contact with their mothers during childbirth and after birth are also at high risk of infection if the mother is pregnant. sick. Notably, close contact with sick people is considered a risk factor for the spread of monkeypox.

4. Symptoms of monkeypox

Incubation period:

Normally, after being infected with the virus that causes monkeypox, the incubation period can be from 5 to 21 days, that is, after that time the first symptoms of the disease begin to appear.

In some cases, the incubation period lasts between 7 and 14 days.

Period of full outbreak of monkeypox:

Symptoms include fever (usually the first symptom), severe headache, back pain, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and swollen glands.

One to three days after presenting with a fever, a person with monkeypox may develop a rash. The rash can appear all over the face (95% of patients with monkeypox have a rash on the face), palms, and feet (the rate of rash on palms and feet is similar. relatively high, up to about 75%), mouth, eyes (including cornea and conjunctiva), external genitalia…

The rash is initially only slightly raised on the surface of the skin and then becomes more severe, becoming vesicles, swelling, then gradually turning to pustules, then drying, scabbing, and falling.

– Usually, monkeypox symptoms will last 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own, the person does not need to take special treatment measures.

– Most infected people recover after a few weeks, the mortality rate is not high. However, risk factors leading to severe disease progression and high mortality include: Patients with long-term exposure to the virus, children, people with a weak immune system… In particular, a complications may occur.

5. Complications from monkeypox

Common complications of this disease include blood infection (which can be fatal), encephalitis, bronchitis, infection of the cornea, loss of vision. For more severe skin wounds, the skin peels off in large patches.

In the past, the mortality rate from monkeypox fluctuated between 11% of the number of people infected with the disease, especially children with monkeypox have a higher mortality rate. In recent times, mortality has fluctuated between 3-6%.

6. Prevention of monkeypox

Although our country has not yet had monkeypox, it is necessary to be careful and avoid excessive panic. Vigilance and prevention are essential. Therefore, when suspected of being sick, it is necessary to quickly go to the hospital for medical examination and isolation.

– It is necessary to regularly eat and drink cooked food. Only eat meat of animals of clear origin and have been tested.

– Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coming into contact with others.

– People suspected of having monkeypox should be isolated immediately and avoid contact with healthy people.