Why Monkeypox is a Growing Concern

After dealing with COVID for two-and-a-half years, it's understandable if the thought of yet another virus triggers some anxiety. However, one way to combat stress is to be informed about what you're dealing with when it comes to monkeypox.

History

While you may have only heard about it recently, monkeypox was discovered in 1958 in monkeys used for research. In addition, 2022 is not the first instance of an outbreak in the United States. In 2003, nearly 50 people contracted the virus in the Midwest.

Monkeypox is a rare disease and is closely related to the smallpox virus. Those who have received a smallpox vaccine would potentially have protection from monkeypox. However, after smallpox was eradicated, many people stopped vaccinating for it in the early 1970s, meaning fewer people are now immune.

The Symptoms

The onset of monkeypox generally begins within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Some patients experience flu-like symptoms first, such as fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, congestion and cough.

While not everyone experiences these flu-like symptoms, most patients develop a rash on or near their genitals, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. According to the CDC, 81% of patients experienced a widespread rash, 50% developed a fever and 41% reported genital rash.

At first, the rash may look like pimples or blisters and be itchy or painful. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks and is still contagious until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

The form of monkeypox currently circulating in the United States is the milder of the two strains and has a fatality rate of less than 1%.

Risk Factors

Currently, risk factors for contracting monkeypox are direct skin-to-skin contact with the rash, sexual contact and sharing unwashed sheets, clothing or towels with someone infected. Also, it can be contracted through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interactions, such as caring for someone with monkeypox.

Monkeypox disproportionately affects men, especially those 18 to 44. Among cases with gender and racial identifying data, the WHO and CDC report:

• 99% of monkeypox cases in America were among men
• 94% had sexual or intimate with men in the three weeks before symptoms
• 60% identify as bisexual or gay
• 41% who knew their HIV status were HIV positive
• 41% are White
• 28% are Hispanic
• 26% are Black
• At least 25 were healthcare professionals

If you think you've been exposed to monkeypox, it's vital to monitor your symptoms for 21 days and avoid travel, sex and contact with children, pregnant people and the immunocompromised.

Treatment

There are vaccine doses for smallpox that could be effective against monkeypox, one of which is called ACAM2000. However, that vaccine can cause serious illness in the immunocompromised, pregnant people, those with eczema and infants. One study also indicated that one in every 175 people could develop myocarditis — or heart inflammation — after being inoculated.

There is another vaccine called Jynneos, but it has yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. So, for now, doctors generally just treat patients for monkeypox symptoms.

Researchers are still investigating more about how monkeypox spreads in people. However, one way to stay protected is to follow COVID-like measures, such as avoiding contact with those infected, wearing a face mask, staying away from crowded spaces and washing your hands frequently.

If you develop monkeypox symptoms, call your doctor to discuss the best way to treat them. To follow CDC monkeypox case tracking by state, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html.

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