Written by Are You Afraid of Monkeypox?
I'M NOT. Here are my conclusions after reading and writing this post:
- People are infectious until all lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
- In countries recently affected by the ongoing 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 SAYS IT
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 experience more severe symptoms and require care at a health facility. Those at higher risk of severe disease 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 from two to three weeks. The rash can appear 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 subsequently crust over, dry out, and fall off, with a new layer of skin forming underneath.
Symptoms usually last from two to three weeks and generally resolve on their own or with supportive care, such as pain or fever medications.
People are infectious until all lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
Anyone with symptoms consistent with monkeypox or who has been in contact with someone who has 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 experiencing 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 vary due to a number of factors, such as access to healthcare. These figures may be an overestimate because, in the past, surveillance of monkeypox was often limited.
In countries recently affected by the ongoing 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 rash, particularly through face-to-face, skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact, including sexual contact. We are still learning about the duration of the infectious capacity of individuals with monkeypox, but they are generally considered infectious until all lesions have crusted over, 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 inhaling skin flakes or virus from clothing, bedding, or towels. This is known as fomite transmission.
Ulcers, lesions, or sores in the mouth can be infectious, meaning the virus can spread through direct contact with the mouth, respiratory droplets, and possibly through short-range aerosols. The potential mechanisms of monkeypox transmission through the air are not yet well understood, and studies are being conducted 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.
Although 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. Fragments of monkeypox virus DNA have been found in semen,
but it is still unknown whether the infection can spread through semen, vaginal fluids, amniotic fluids, breast milk, or blood.
Research is being conducted to gather more information about 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 vaccination against smallpox stopped in most places around the world after it was eradicated in 1980. Individuals 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 to prevent monkeypox has recently been approved. Some countries recommend vaccination for at-risk individuals. After many years of research, newer and safer vaccines have been developed for an eradicated disease called smallpox, which may also be useful for monkeypox. One of these has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox. Vaccination should only be considered for those at risk (for example, someone who has had direct contact with someone who has monkeypox).
Mass vaccination is not recommended at this time.
While the smallpox vaccine was shown to protect against monkeypox in the past, current data on the efficacy of newer vaccines against smallpox or monkeypox in preventing monkeypox in clinical practice and field settings is limited. Studying the use of vaccines for monkeypox wherever they are used will allow for rapid generation of additional information on the efficacy 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 on their own without the need for treatment.
What do we know about monkeypox and sex?
Monkeypox spreads through direct contact of any kind, including kissing, touching, oral sex, and penetrative vaginal or anal sex with an infectious person. Anyone with rashes or new and unusual skin lesions should avoid sexual contact until they have undergone appropriate screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and monkeypox. This disease may resemble other infectious diseases such as chickenpox, herpes, and syphilis, which may explain why several cases in the current outbreak have been identified in men who sought care at 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.
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 concentrations of the virus 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 contracting monkeypox, but it will help protect you and your partner(s) from other STIs.
Do men who have sex with men have a 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 who has direct contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk.
Source: World Health Organization.