The Facts About Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that can spread from human to human, or human to certain animals. Monkeypox, which can present as a rash and flu-like symptoms, was discovered in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in monkeys being used for research. It's a member of the family of viruses known as orthopoxvirus, which also causes smallpox.

In November 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that its preferred term for monkeypox will be "mpox" after a transitional period of one year. The name change is less stigmatizing, according to advocates who have campaigned for a new term.

Monkeypox is primarily spread through human contact with infected rodents. However, the virus can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact with another human who is infected. There are two types, or clades, of mpox. One originated in Central Africa and the other in West Africa. The current global outbreak was caused by the West African clade, which is less severe.

The variola virus, or the virus that causes smallpox, is related to the virus that causes monkeypox. Mpox, however, is rarely deadly and has symptoms comparable to smallpox, only not as severe.

Africa is home to two distinct strains of the mpox virus; the West African strain led to the 2022 global outbreak.

International travelers are at the highest risk of contracting monkeypox, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People who have traveled to countries that have seen recent outbreaks, such as the Canary Islands, Spain and Belgium, all risk becoming infected.

People who have recently traveled to endemic countries are also at risk. Endemic countries include Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone, among others.

People who engage in risky sexual behavior are also at risk. While mpox is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it can be transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as semen.

Monkeypox persists in rodent and monkey populations in Africa. However, it can occasionally be spread by animal bites from other infected creatures. Once infected, a person can pass the disease on to other people by touching body sores, coming into contact with bodily fluids or exhaling droplets.

Monkeypox can spread if someone touches environmental surfaces, such as linens or countertops, and then contacts their eyes or mouth without first washing their hands.

Monkeypox symptoms may begin five to 21 days after exposure. The incubation period is the interval between exposure and the onset of symptoms.

The following are common symptoms of mpox, which typically present for two to four weeks:

• Chills
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Skin rash
• Swollen lymph nodes

A skin rash begins one to four days after your fever first appears. The rash often begins on the face, hands or feet before spreading to other areas of the body. Blisters form on flat areas and develop into scabs filled with pus, which typically fall off over the course of two to four weeks.

Monkeypox can be diagnosed by a medical practitioner using a fluid sample taken from the rash. In addition to screening for sexually transmitted diseases, your doctor may need to rule out other conditions that cause rashes, such as chickenpox, measles and syphilis.

Serious consequences from monkeypox can necessitate hospitalization or more involved medical interventions in some cases. Young children, expectant mothers, immunocompromised individuals and people with a history of eczema—a chronic disease that causes skin inflammation and irritation—are at higher risk for developing severe illness.

Potential complications of mpox include:

• Blindness
• Pneumonia
• Proctitis (inflammation and sores inside the rectum)
• Scarring on the face, arms and legs
• Secondary skin infections
• Urinary problems
• Vision changes
• Death (in rare cases)

Antiviral medications can be used to treat monkeypox patients who are sick, even though many cases resolve on their own. Although there is little information on their efficacy for this illness, smallpox treatments may be tried.

According to the CDC, antiviral therapy should be investigated for people with severe mpox disease or those who are immunocompromised. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved vaccines to prevent monkeypox. When administered within four days after exposure, vaccines may lessen the severity of the disease. For this reason, healthcare professionals may recommend vaccines for people who have been in contact with an individual who is infected.

Consider the following monkeypox prevention tips:

• Don't share eating utensils, cups, clothing, towels or razors.
• Don't touch another person's rash.
• Wash your hands after contact with infected people or animals.
• Wear a mask when you may have close,face-to-face contact with a person who may be infected.

There are a limited number of studies on monkeypox virus infection and pregnancy. It is unknown if pregnant women are more susceptible to the virus or if the infection is more severe during pregnancy.However, mpox can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy or to the baby through close contact during and after birth, according to the CDC.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as stillbirth, have been reported in cases of confirmed monkeypox infection during pregnancy. Neonatal monkeypox infection has also been reported. However, the frequency and risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes are unknown. More research is needed on this topic.

If you have monkeypox, it's important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about the symptoms you're experiencing. They should be made aware of any new rash or lesion on your body, including the mouth, genitals or anus. If you or your partner have mpox symptoms, refrain from having sex and see a doctor as soon as possible. However, your symptoms could be mild, and you may not even realize you have it.

If you know you or your partner have monkeypox, protect yourself and others by avoiding oral, anal and vaginal sex, kissing, and touching each other's bodies.It's especially critical to avoid touching any rash. Do not share items such as towels, sex toys or toothbrushes.

The following tips can reduce your chances of being exposed:

• Avoid kissing or exchanging saliva.
• Latex or polyurethane gloves may reduce the chance of exposure if inserting fingers into the vagina or anus.
• Limit your number of sex partners.
• Try covering areas where a rash is present before having sex.
• Wash your hands, sex toys and any fabrics after having sex.
• Wear condoms to protect your anus, mouth, penis or vagina from exposure to monkeypox.

The following resources have the most current information on monkeypox:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Is monkeypox fatal?

Monkeypox infections are rarely fatal. In fact, more than 99 percent of people who were infected during the current outbreak in the United States are likely to survive. Immunocompromised people, children younger than age 8, people with a history of eczema and pregnant people are the most likely to suffer serious consequences.

How did monkeypox start?

Monkeypox was first found in laboratory monkeys in 1958. Mpox can be spread from animals to humans, and the virus can also spread from human to human.

In 1970, human monkeypox was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2003, the first outbreak outside Africa was reported in the U.S. This outbreak was linked to contact with infected prairie dogs.

In May 2022, mpox cases were reported in more than 10 countries in non-endemic areas. According to a November 2022 report from the WHO, there have been 81,107 confirmed cases and 55 deaths, and 110 countries have reported cases.

According to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, the people facing the greatest health risk from monkeypox are gay and bisexual men living with HIV or taking PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) medicines to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. In the U.S., Walensky estimated that population to be 1.7 million.

How is monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox can be spread through close contact, such as:

• Direct contact with a rash from a person with the virus
• Direct contact with their saliva and areas around the vagina or anus

Direct contact can also occur during intimacy, including:

• Anal, oral or vaginal sex and/or touching the genitals or anus of someone with mpox
• Face-to-face contact for an extended period
• Hugging and kissing