While the coronavirus, which affected the world, lost its effect, the Monkeypox virus began to spread. The monkeypox virus, which started to appear in European countries, alarmed the world. Frightened citizens are investigating the symptoms of the monkeypox virus, its treatment and how it is transmitted. Here are the ones who are curious about the monkeypox virus in this article…
Monkeypox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when an outbreak of smallpox-like disease appeared in laboratory monkey colonies, hence the name 'monkey pox'. A case of monkeypox virus was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since that date, cases of monkeypox virus have been reported in humans in other Central and West African countries.
What Is Monkeypox Virus?
Monkeypox virus has two distinct genetic groups, Central African and West African. Central African monkeypox virus in humans is more severe and has a higher mortality rate than West African virus.
The invasion period, which is characterized by fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, muscle aches and severe weakness, lasts between 0-5 days. Lymphadenopathy is a distinguishing feature of the monkeypox virus case compared to other diseases that may initially appear similar (chickenpox, measles, smallpox).
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox Virus?
The skin rash usually begins 1-3 days after the fever appears. The rash tends to be more concentrated on the face and extremities rather than the trunk. The rashes usually start on the face (95% of cases) and affect the palms and soles (75% of cases). In addition, the oral mucosa (in 70% of cases), the genital area (30%) and the cornea (20%) are affected, along with the conjunctiva. The rash ranges from macules (flat-bottomed lesions) to papules (slightly raised firm lesions), vesicles (clear fluid-filled lesions), pustules (yellowish fluid-filled lesions), and crusts that slough off.
Monkeypox virus is transmitted to humans mostly from wild animals such as rodents and primates, but human-to-human transmission can also occur.
How Is Monkeypox Virus Transmitted?
The Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another through contact with contaminated materials such as lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets and bedding. Eating undercooked meat and other animal products of infected animals is a possible risk factor. It can also be transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta.
Is There a Cure for Monkeypox Virus?
There is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox virus infection yet. Smallpox vaccine, antivirals, and Intravenous immune globulin (VIG) can be used to control the monkeypox epidemic. However, at present, the original (first generation) smallpox vaccines are no longer available to the public. A newer vaccine was approved in 2019 for the prevention of smallpox and monkey disease, but is not yet widely available in the public sector.
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