With the current spread of the monkeypox virus across the globe, Ogden Pharmacy would like to provide a brief background about the relatively unknown virus.

Monkeypox is similar to smallpox and is considered a rare viral disease. The virus is found mainly in Africa and can infect humans and animals. Specifically, it is found primarily in remote parts of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests.

It was identified in humans for the first time in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a nine years old boy.

Transmission

The monkeypox virus is transmitted to humans from contact with infected animals’ blood or body fluids, most often wild rodents and primates.

The monkeypox virus can also spread from human to human through close contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated bedding or clothing. The incubation period for monkeypox is usually about 10 to 14 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.

Symptoms

Most people who contract monkeypox will have a mild illness, with symptoms that include fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash. The rash could develop within a few days, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. The rash starts as small bumps that turn into fluid-filled blisters. The blisters eventually scab over and fall off.

Monkeypox is generally a mild illness in children but can be more severe in adults and sometimes fatal. Like most viruses, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but the virus usually goes away after a few weeks.

Treatment and Protection

Monkeypox is usually not fatal, but it can be deadly in some cases. Up to 10% of the people who contracted the virus in Africa died. However, this may be due to the lack of proper health care in the areas of the people who were first infected with the virus.

There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but a vaccine could provide some protection against the virus.

If you think you have been exposed to the virus, you should see a doctor right away. The vaccine used for the smallpox virus can also provide up to 85% protection against monkeypox. However, the vaccine is not readily available in all countries. The vaccine’s effectiveness is at its maximum if it is given before exposure to the virus.

Monkeypox is a rare disease, but it is essential to be aware of it if you plan to travel to areas where it is found.

It is also important to avoid contact with infected animals and practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.