What You Need to Know About Monkeypox Outbreaks: Dr. Nina Radcliffe | Lifestyle

Americans are currently at low risk of monkeypox, but if it continues to spread unchecked, it can lead to endemic disease in the United States.

Monkeypox management is important for public health. With the goal of staying ahead of the increased risk, health authorities in federal, state, and local agencies are stepping up their response as outbreaks continue to spread.

The disease has been endemic in Africa for some time, but many cases have been reported, especially in Europe, and the number has tripled in recent weeks. To curb the outbreak, the United States is:

Extend the vaccine response by releasing the vaccine from national stockpiles to areas with the highest case rates.

Enhanced testing to provide sufficient testing to monitor the spread of the virus in the state.

Monkeypox, a disease caused by the orthopox virus, belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox and cowpox. Reports in the United States are rare, but not unheard of. Two cases were reported in 2021 and 47 cases in 2003 during outbreaks associated with pet prairie dogs. In mid-June, health officials were warned of an outbreak and its spread extended to the United States.

Monkeypox is mainly transmitted from this current infection to sexually transmitted diseases, but the virus can be transmitted from person to person in the following ways:

Infectious rash / scab / direct contact with body fluids.

Respiratory secretions (face-to-face contact / kiss / hug / sex).

Items to touch (clothing / linen / previously touched by an infectious rash).

Pregnant people can spread the virus to the fetus through the placenta.

Monkeypox is not new and the United States is ready. We know how it spreads, have efficient testing and testing capabilities to help identify infected people, and have vaccines that are very effective in combating it.

Anyone can get and spread monkeypox. It is important to have sufficient information and awareness.

Most often found in men who have sex with men, there are links to close contact and sexual intimacy. However, sexual orientation has nothing to do with susceptibility to monkeypox.

It is unknown exactly how, where, and when the current strain of the virus began to infect humans. The first significant example of the big spread is believed to have happened at a party mainly attended by gay men from the Canary Islands and Belgium, and stayed mostly among them as they started with men having sex with men. rice field. If the virus first spread among heterosexuals, it probably remained among them.

It’s good to make sure that the most endangered people are receiving the messages they need, but don’t blame the population. And it’s important not to give false peace of mind to people who aren’t in that population. This is a social network phenomenon — it’s the person you’re in contact with.

Symptoms of monkeypox can develop within 21 days of exposure and include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and headache. The rash usually begins with red spots and evolves into a fluid-filled and pus-filled ridge that can look like blisters. The painful ridge then opens to the pain and scab. People are considered infectious until the scab pain subsides and sheds.

Monkey Pox is generally a mild illness, but is severe or severe for people with weakened immunity, pregnant women, fetuses and newborns, lactating women, toddlers, and people with severe skin diseases such as eczema. It’s deadly.

There is no proven and safe treatment specifically for monkeypox. It is mild in most cases and improves in a few weeks without treatment. Medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever and muscle aches. Your doctor may recommend medicine for your pain.

Some people, such as those with weakened immunity, pregnant women, fetuses or newborns, lactating women, toddlers, and people with severe skin disorders, develop more serious illnesses and are more specific. Treatment may be required.

Also, when given in the early stages of infection, the Jynneos and ACAM2000 vaccines may help reduce the severity.

The CDC recommends monkeypox vaccination only for people at high risk.

People who have had close contact with people with monkeypox.

Men who have recently had multiple sex partners and trans women in areas known to have monkeypox or in areas where monkeypox is endemic.

Healthcare workers, laboratory staff, first responders, and potentially affected military members.

You will hear more about monkeypox. There is no reason to be wary or panicked about this, but it is important to always get information from knowledgeable and reliable sources.