Monkey Pox: All You Need To Know

May 30, 2022

By Shifa Admin

Learn what monkeypox is, its early symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention tips. Know when to seek medical care at Shifa International Hospital Hospital Islamabad.

What Is Monkeypox? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Monkeypox (mpox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was first identified in 1959 in a group of monkeys and hence named monkeypox. The animals became sick after being shipped from Singapore to a research facility in Denmark.

According to CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first-ever human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 in Congo. Initially this case was mistaken for smallpox because of some similar signs. Later in 2022, the disease spread to the whole world. If we talk about monkeypox cases in Pakistan, the first-ever case was reported in April 2023.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally more than 100,000 cases have been reported from January 2022 to August 2024 and the disease continues to be a threat even today.

How Does Monkeypox Spread?

Despite being named monkeypox, the actual source of the virus is still unknown. Experts believe that these animals may be the carriers:

Rodents like rats, mice and squirrels
Primates, including monkeys
Other mammals like prairie dogs and hedgehogs etcetera

Monkeypox disease can spread from animals to humans through bite, scratch, direct contact with body fluids of an infected animal or indirect contact with their skin lesions. Human-to-human transmission can occur through respiratory droplets, direct skin-to-skin contact, intimate or sexual contact, and contact with contaminated objects, clothing, bedding, or other personal items. For example, when an infected human sneezes, coughs or talks, the droplets from the mouth or throat can affect a healthy individual. The disease can also spread from mother to the baby during pregnancy, delivery or after birth.

Early Signs of Monkeypox

The symptoms of mpox often appear within 21 days of contact with the virus. You may experience flu-like symptoms first along with sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and cough. Other signs include:

Swollen lymph nodes
Fever and chills
Headache
Backache
Muscle aches
Exhaustion
Respiratory Symptoms

Monkeypox Skin Lesions

Skin lesions or rash appears after 1-3 days of the fever. It usually starts on the face, hands or feet and then spreads to other body parts. Still, it is not necessary for the rash to appear on the aforementioned body parts first. Some people can develop it on genital area, mouth or throat too. Later, the rash progresses through the following stages:

Flat and discolored spots
Small raised bumps
Fluid-filled blisters
Red or pink raised bumps filled with pus
Scabs

Monkeypox Treatment Options

There is no specific treatment for the disease. High-risk patients can be given antiviral medicines while antibody treatment can also help ease the symptoms. You can also follow these self-care tips:

Wash your hands frequently, especially before and after touching lesions or sores
Keep your skin clean and dry
Take warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salt
Rinse your mouth with saltwater in case of mouth sores
Take OTC pain relieving medicines
Increase fluid intake and keep yourself hydrated
Rest, so your body can recover

You must avoid popping blisters or scratching the sores as it slows down the healing process. The rash can also spread or become infected, and shaving affected body parts can also cause the rash to spread. You must wait till the scabs have healed and new skin has appeared.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

The World Health Organization recommends following measures to protect yourself and others from monkeypox:

Avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus
Avoid contact with any material that has been in contact with the sick animal or human
Isolate infected patients to avoid exposure of people at risk for infection until the lesions have healed
Wear masks around patients
Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans or materials they may have used
If you are working in a healthcare setting, use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients
Disinfect the areas that may have been exposed to the virus

Currently, a 2-dose vaccine called JYNNEOS is being used for mpox. It helps provide protection against the mpox disease and smallpox. However, it is not widely available in the market for general public. In case of an outbreak, health authorities coordinate with the World Health Organization to source it.

Mpox often gets better on its own but for some people, it can cause serious complications like sepsis, vision loss, pneumonia, respiratory distress and inflammation around the heart and in the brain. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can help prevent these complications.

Know the symptoms of monkeypox and check yourself regularly. If you have a weak immunity or history of eczema, you are more likely to develop a severe disease. Babies and pregnant women are also at risk of developing complications. If you notice any of the signs, there is an outbreak or you have had contact with a patient or an infected animal, seek immediate medical help.

Diagnosing mpox through symptoms alone is difficult as the signs resemble other diseases. PCR testing helps differentiate between mpox and other health issues. Doctors may also recommend blood tests. As the diagnosis can be tricky, it is better to choose a hospital which provides an accurate diagnosis and quality care in one place. For this, you can visit Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad. It has infectious disease specialists and advanced diagnostic facilities to confirm mpox. The hospital also follows proper isolation protocols which are important for all the patients especially for newborns or immunocompromised individuals.

Quick Facts About Monkeypox

Here are 10 facts about mpox:

Monkeypox only spreads through close contact
Mpox virus has two types: clade I and II. Both spread in the same way and their treatment and prevention is also the same. However, type I causes more severe illness with a higher death rate. Clade II on the other hand, causes mild illness and has a higher survival rate.