Just as we put the pile of masksaside and started going out and ‘getting back to normal’, we got monkeypox.
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Sure, we’ve had chickenpoxand smallpox, but monkeypox somehow sounds more terrifying (no offense, monkeys). As we’ve seen all over the news recently, there are rising cases across Europe and elsewhere, so how worried should we be on a scale of 1-10?
What is Monkeypox?
According toWebMD, Monkeypox is a viral disease, like smallpox, although less severe, and 'scientists have known about it since 1958, when it was found in lab monkeys used for research', hence the name. However, a recent study published by Jacqui Wise in the BMJ shows differences between this monkeypox outbreak and previous outbreaks.
Monkeypox symptoms
While previous outbreaks saw rash symptoms throughout the body, this outbreak includes rectal or pubic pain with fewer lesions – sometimes only one – making it difficult to diagnose. The aforementioned study states that:
A 10th of the patients (54) had only a single genital lesion. Another unexpected finding was that 15% had anal or rectal pain (or both).
The most common symptoms include rash, fever, headache, and general unease. Although symptoms vary in individuals, CDC holds that:
- The rash usually develops in stages, including scabs, before healing
- The rash may at first look like pimples and may be painful or itchy
Treatment
The good news is that the illness usually fizzles out on its own after 2 to 4 weeks, while the not-so-good news is that there is no specific treatment for monkeypox.
Nevertheless, that’s not exactly bad news because although there is no treatment, your body kinda does the work by fighting and kicking out the virus. Besides, according to WebMD, doctors have been turning to smallpox vaccines to prevent monkeypox outbreaks, which have proven to be 85% effective.
Is monkeypox as dangerous as COVID-19?
Unlike COVID-19, it does not seem like monkeypox will become the IT virus, considering how visible and controllable with already-made vaccines it is. However, this does not mean that we are 'back to normal,' whatever that may mean now. We should still apply protective measures, keep our hygiene, limit direct contact, and be good as gold.
Read more:
⋙ Dog gets monkeypox from its owners. Does this change what we know about the virus?
⋙ Monkeypox to be renamed to avoid causing offence
⋙ Monkeypox: Who is more likely to be infected with the virus?
Disclaimer: The contents of this article: text, graphics, images, and other materials contained, are strictly for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Please always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with all the questions that you have related to, or about, a medical condition.
