Introduction
Monkeypox as seen in the news lately is a viral disease that have affected over 20 countries and in these countries are 80 cases confirmed victims. Unlike Covid-19, monkeypox virus is a disease that is fast spreading all over the world which one need to take proper precautions of and also help ourselves towards preventing the disease from finding their way into our bodies because it takes 4 weeks or more to heal and the pain it inflicts is quiet unbearable.
So, in the post, I will take you through the meaning of moneypox, how it is been transmitted, the possible signs and symptoms, preventions, treatment and when to see a doctor. So, keep following to get yourself and your family prevented from it.
Related: Monkeypox: 80 Cases Confirmed In 12 Countries
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to humans in which symptoms in human beings are similar to that of a small pox but it is clinically less severe. Usually, monkeypox primarily occurs in the central and west African areas and has increasingly occurs in the urban areas. Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, which is emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.
How is Monkeypox transmitted?
Monkeypox is mostly transmitted from animals to human through a direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, coughing or sneezing of an infected animals. Evidence of monkeypox virus infections have been detected in animals in Africa.
You are at a risk of having this virus infections when you eat inadequate cooked meat or when you eat the meat of the infected animals. It is also easy to contact this disease from humans through respiratory secretions or when you touch the open wound of an infected person or an already contaminated objects.
One is at a greater risk when their is a respiratory droplet particles from an infected person like coughing and sneezing and it is fast communicable when their is a prolonged face to face contact which is why public health workers are at 80% risk of contacting this disease than others. Let’s look at the signs and symptoms of monkeypox in order to recognize them easily when we see them.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox Virus?
Like I earlier stated, the monkeypox virus infection can last for 4 weeks or more and it is usually sub-divided into two major categories which are;
- The invasion period and
- The skin eruption
The invasion period
These begins and last between 0-5 days maximum before appearing fully on one’s body. The signs and symptoms of these invasion period are fever, back ache, intense headache which comes like a migraine, muscle aches, swelling of the lymph nodes. The swelling of the lymph which is also called lymphadenophathy is similar to the symptoms of chickenpox, measles and smallpox.
The skin eruption stage
After the disappearance of the feverish condition, the skin eruption begins between 1-3 days and the rashes usually begins from the face before spreading to the rest of the body. Although, it varies because some people get to see the symptoms in their neck, hand, legs, stomach, chest, etc. It depends.
How can I prevent the monkeypox virus?
It is very simple. The monkeypox virus can be prevented if you follow the due protocol. During the era of Covid-19, facemask was implemented, washing of the hand always, using hand sanitizers, maintaining social distancing and collecting the Covid-19 vaccine but many people neglected it and kick it off until it was made compulsory in most places.
Monkeypox virus is also prevented with the listed above rules and in addition, creating awareness by educating people about the risk factors and why they need to receive the vaccine and obey the rules especially when in public is very vital.
What is the treatment for monkeypox virus infection and when should I see a doctor?
Allot of questions about the monkeypox virus infections keep trolling online on the daily basis especially how to prevent the virus from penetrating into the body which I have earlier explained in the previous paragraph. Some of those asked questions are;
What is the treatment for monkeypox virus infection?
The monkeypox virus infection is treated through it vaccines just like that of smallpox. Although, it was reported by the WHO that 90% cases of those who took the smallpox vaccines may likely to experience reactions like feverish conditions, headache, vomiting, while some even end up having a scar in their upper arm but these are nothing to worry about. Why?
The vaccine works with the immune system and it tends to push out every possible things that will affect your body later before it start healing. Oftentimes when you lay these complains to doctors, you will be instructed to go and have enough rest or you will be given some antibiotics to fight the illness with 100% assurance that the vaccine will help you heal faster.
So, it is very important to take the monkeypox vaccine seriously because it helps to kill the symptoms before it erupt in the body. Meanwhile, let’s look at when to see a doctor.
When should I see a doctor about the monkeypox virus infection?
You are expected to see a doctor for immediate clinic attention when you start noticing the symptoms in your body but remember, not all feverish conditions are symptoms of monkeypox virus because tiredness can cause headache, cold weather can lead to feverish condition and many more so do not put yourself in suspense once you notice any of this in your body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), everyone is expected to visit the clinic and receive the vaccine even before you start noticing any of the above explained signs and symptoms. But if peradventure you were ignorant of the whole thing and it happens, please visit the clinic for proper medical attention to ease the pain and eliminate the rashes before it results to something else, do not engage in self-treatment because it is risky. Health is wealth.
Final conclusions on the monkeypox virus infection
In order to reduce the risk of this virus, stay clear of all means of being infected by humans and also stay protected off wild animals who are already affected. Washing our meat properly and cooking them well before eating is of no new thing to us because we are always cautioned to stay clear of an inadequate cooked meat.
Protect yourself first before the doctors or medical personnel’s save you. Do not wait until you are fully down before you visit the nearest hospital for complains. Their is absolutely no shame in talking about how you feel especially when it has to do with your health. Life has no duplicate and once we loose it, we can never retrieve it.
Save a life today by sharing this piece of information to families, friends and even enemies because our life is precious. Thank you.
