Are You Afraid of Monkeypox?
I'M NOT. These are my conclusions after reading and writing this post:
- People are infectious until all lesions are covered with scabs, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
- In countries recently affected by the current outbreak, there have been no deaths to date.
- It is still unknown whether the infection can spread through semen, vaginal fluids, amniotic fluids, breast milk, or blood.
- Mass vaccination is not recommended at this time.
- Symptoms often resolve on their own without the need for treatment.
- While the monkeypox virus has been detected in semen, it is currently unknown whether this disease can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.
- The risk of contracting monkeypox is not limited to sexually active individuals or men who have sex with men.
I'm not saying it... THE WHO IS
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic infection, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person.What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. While some people have mild symptoms, others may have more severe symptoms and require care at a healthcare facility. People at higher risk of severe illness or complications are pregnant individuals, children, and immunocompromised individuals. The most common symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, lack of energy, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms are followed or accompanied by a rash that can last two to three weeks. The rash can be located on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, neck, groin, and genital or anal regions of the body. The number of lesions can range from a few to several thousand. Initially, the lesions are flat, then fill with fluid, and then form scabs, dry out, and fall off, with a new layer of skin forming underneath. Symptoms usually last two to three weeks and typically resolve on their own or with supportive care, such as pain or fever medications.
People are infectious until all lesions are covered with scabs, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with monkeypox or who has been in contact with someone with monkeypox should call or visit a healthcare provider for advice.Can people become seriously ill or die from monkeypox?
In most cases, the symptoms of this disease resolve on their own within a few weeks. However, in some individuals, infections can lead to medical complications and even death. Newborns, children, and individuals with underlying immunosuppression are at risk of developing more severe symptoms and dying from monkeypox. Complications of monkeypox include secondary skin infections, pneumonia, confusion, and eye problems. In the past, between 1% and 10% of people with monkeypox died. It is important to note that mortality rates in different settings may differ due to various factors, such as access to healthcare. These figures may be an overestimation because in the past, surveillance of monkeypox was often limited.
In countries recently affected by the current outbreak, there have been no deaths to date.
How does monkeypox spread from person to person?
Monkeypox spreads from person to person through direct contact with someone who has a monkeypox skin rash, particularly through face-to-face contact, skin-to-skin contact, mouth-to-mouth contact, or mouth-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. We are still learning about the duration of infectivity of individuals with monkeypox, but they are generally considered infectious until all lesions are covered with scabs, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath. 
Environments can become contaminated with the monkeypox virus, for example, when an infectious person touches clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronic devices, and surfaces. If someone else touches these items, they can become infected. It is also possible to become infected by breathing in skin flakes or virus from clothing, bedding, or towels. This is called fomite transmission. Ulcers, sores, or lesions in the mouth can be infectious, meaning the virus can spread through direct mouth contact, respiratory droplets, and possibly through short-range aerosols. The potential transmission mechanisms of monkeypox through the air are not well understood, and studies are ongoing to gather more information. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to fetus or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent to an infant or child through direct contact. While cases of asymptomatic infection have been reported, it is unclear whether asymptomatic individuals can spread the disease or if it can spread through other bodily fluids. Pieces of monkeypox virus DNA have been found in semen,Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
Environments can become contaminated with the monkeypox virus, for example, when an infectious person touches clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronic devices, and surfaces. If someone else touches these items, they can become infected. It is also possible to become infected by breathing in skin flakes or virus from clothing, bedding, or towels. This is called fomite transmission. Ulcers, sores, or lesions in the mouth can be infectious, meaning the virus can spread through direct mouth contact, respiratory droplets, and possibly through short-range aerosols. The potential transmission mechanisms of monkeypox through the air are not well understood, and studies are ongoing to gather more information. The virus can also be transmitted from mother to fetus or after birth through skin-to-skin contact, or from a parent to an infant or child through direct contact. While cases of asymptomatic infection have been reported, it is unclear whether asymptomatic individuals can spread the disease or if it can spread through other bodily fluids. Pieces of monkeypox virus DNA have been found in semen,but it is currently unknown whether the infection can spread through semen, vaginal fluids, amniotic fluids, breast milk, or blood.
Research is ongoing to gather more information on whether individuals can spread monkeypox through the exchange of these fluids during and after symptomatic infection.Who is at risk of contracting monkeypox?
It is likely that individuals who have been vaccinated against smallpox have some protection against monkeypox. However, younger individuals are unlikely to be vaccinated against smallpox because smallpox vaccination was discontinued in most places around the world after it was eradicated in 1980. People who have been vaccinated against smallpox should continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others.Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?
Yes. A vaccine has recently been approved to prevent monkeypox. Some countries recommend vaccination for individuals at risk. After many years of research, newer and safer vaccines have been developed for a disease called smallpox, which has been eradicated, and these vaccines may also be useful for monkeypox. One of them has been approved for monkeypox prevention. Vaccination should only be considered for those at risk (for example, someone who has had direct contact with someone with monkeypox).
Mass vaccination is not recommended at this time.
While the smallpox vaccine has been shown to protect against monkeypox in the past, current data on the effectiveness of newer smallpox or monkeypox vaccines in preventing monkeypox in clinical practice and field settings are limited. Studying the use of vaccines for monkeypox wherever they are used will allow for rapid generation of additional information on the effectiveness of these vaccines in different settings.What is the treatment for individuals with monkeypox?
Individuals with monkeypox should follow the advice of their healthcare provider. Symptoms often resolve without the need for treatment.
What do we know about monkeypox and sex?
Monkeypox spreads through direct contact of any kind, including kissing, contact, oral sex, and vaginal or anal sex with penetration with an infectious person. Anyone with skin rashes or new and unusual skin lesions should avoid sexual contact until they have been screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and monkeypox. This disease can resemble other infectious diseases such as chickenpox, herpes, and syphilis, which explains why several cases of the current outbreak have been identified in men who visited sexual health clinics. Remember that the rash can also be found in places that may be difficult to see, such as the mouth, throat, genitals, vagina, and anus/anal area.
Until more is known about the virus concentrations and its potential infectivity in semen during the post-recovery period, individuals with monkeypox are advised to use condoms for 12 weeks after recovery. Using a condom will not protect you from getting monkeypox, but it will help protect you and your partner(s) from other STIs.
While the monkeypox virus has been detected in semen, it is currently unknown whether this disease can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.
Until more is known about the virus concentrations and its potential infectivity in semen during the post-recovery period, individuals with monkeypox are advised to use condoms for 12 weeks after recovery. Using a condom will not protect you from getting monkeypox, but it will help protect you and your partner(s) from other STIs.Are men who have sex with men at higher risk of contracting monkeypox?
The risk of contracting monkeypox is not limited to sexually active individuals or men who have sex with men.
Anyone in direct contact with someone with symptoms is at risk. Source: World Health Organization.