Introduction

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease (which means it spreads from animals to humans) that is caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus belongs to the same family of viruses as the variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. But the good thing here is monkeypox is much milder than smallpox and has been rarely fatal. 

Earlier monkeypox was endemic in the African countries, mainly the central and western. People who got this disease outside of these areas often had international travel history to these countries or imported animals. 

The first case ever recorded of this disease was in 1970. On July 14, 2022, the first case of monkeypox was reported in India. He was a man aged 35 years old and had a travel history to the Middle East. On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared the escalating global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Causes Of Monkeypox

Monkeypox is generally acquired from the carriers of the virus mainly rodents such as rats, mice, and squirrels. It can be transmitted from animals to humans and humans to humans also.

Causes of animals to humans transmission:

• Being bitten by an infected animal.
• Coming in contact with an infected animal’s blood, body fluids, spots, blisters, or scabs.
• Eating uncooked infected animal’s meat.
• Touching the skin or fur of the infected animals.

Causes of humans to humans transmission:

• Physical contact with an infected person.
• Sharing the same products like towels, clothes, etc. with the infected person.
• The placenta from mother to foetus.
• Not using contraceptives while having sex with an infected person.
• Man-to-man sex.
• Mother to the baby after childbirth.
• Saliva droplets while coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms Of Monkeypox

Monkeypox can sometimes take time to show its symptoms. It usually shows symptoms within 7-14 days after being infected by the virus. But in some cases, it takes up to 21 days to show any symptoms. It shows symptoms similar to smallpox except for the swelling of lymphatic nodes. Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache 
• Backache 
• Chills 
• Exhaustion
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Muscle aches
• Lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes) 
• A rash looking like a pimple or blisters on parts of the body

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare professional immediately before it’s too late!

Diagnosis Of Monkeypox

If one shows signs of monkeypox as stated above, he/she must call a healthcare agent to collect samples for confirming whether it is monkeypox or not. Your healthcare agent may ask you for these samples:

• Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs or lesions from the roof, base scraping, fluid, and crust or scab.
• Blood sample
• Urine sample

After the sample is collected it is sent to the laboratory for testing where first, PCR for the Orthopoxvirus genus is done, and if the results are positive then it is sent for another monkeypox-specific conventional PCR or real-time PCR for monkeypox DNA for confirmation.

Treatment Of Monkeypox

For now, there is no such specific treatment for monkeypox. Clinical tests are going on to find the perfect solution for this disease. However, still medications are given to the infected persons on the basis of their symptoms. Gradually, after the supportive care, the disease effects slowly start to decrease. The supportive care for monkeypox is given according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

• Ulcers
  • For genital ulcers: Sitz bath
  • For mouth ulcers: Warm salt gargle & topical oral anti-inflammatory gel

• Skin Rash
  • No touching or scratching the lesions.
  • Cover the affected area with a light dressing.
  • Apply antiseptic ointment on the rashes.
  • If infection increases, take antibiotics.

• Dehydration
  • Keep yourself hydrated by drinking juice, ORS, and other fluids.
  • Intravenous drop for worst cases.
  • A rich nutritious diet on time.

• Other Symptoms
  • For nausea and vomiting: Antiemetic
  • For fever: Paracetamol
  • For itching: Antihistamines

Effects Of Monkeypox

Monkeypox can have severe effects on humans. Some effects only last for a specific period of time but some can be lifelong, and even lead to death. Here’s a list of the most common effects:

• Hyperpigmentation (some skin areas darker than others)
• Hypopigmentation (Lighter skin patches)
• Pneumonia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fluid loss
• Sepsis (inflammation throughout the body)
• Bacterial skin infection
• Vision loss
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

Risk Factors For Monkeypox

It has been observed that some particular groups of people are at a higher risk of developing serious symptoms of monkeypox. Those are:

• Newborns
• People with weakened immune
• Children
• People who work in the laboratory and tests samples of monkeypox
• People who had a history of chronic illness
• Healthcare workers at the hospital/clinic

Prevention From Monkeypox

To control the spread of monkeypox certain preventions are suggested. The main thing that one should focus on is limiting the infected animal to human contact and also person-to-person contact. Important preventative measures are listed below:

• Only eat thoroughly cooked meat.
• Avoid touching sick or infected animals.
• Do not touch the surfaces where infected animals or humans were present.
• In case, by mistake you have touched any such surface, clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• There is a recently approved vaccine for monkeypox but it is not widely available. So you must be vaccinated against smallpox as its vaccine has been proved to be helpful.
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) kit if you are a healthcare worker or even if you are visiting or taking care of a patient.
• Always use contraceptives and dental dams while having sex.

Foods To Eat

It is immensely essential to take care of the health and eat the right food if one has been infected by monkeypox. When one has monkeypox, it takes a toll on the immunity system. Eating and drinking items filled with immunity-boosting ingredients is helpful. Some of the food items that are advised by nutrition experts are:

• Papaya

Papaya is rich in vitamin C and supports the cellular functioning of the body. Papaya and other such food items rich in vitamin C like amla, orange, lemon, etc. are also helpful in immunity boosting.

• Bay Leaves

The swollen lymph nodes are very painful. To help relieve the pain one should have bay leave as it contains a substance called eugenol which acts as a mild pain reliever and antiseptic. They are also helpful to cure dry cough.

• Fresh Basil

Fresh basil also helps combat the symptom of cold and flu. With its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant property it is a great booster for the immunity system.

• Mint

Mint helps in treating the symptom- muscle aches. It is rich in menthol, a compound that helps in relaxing the muscles. Mint leaves not only boost immunity but also help combat the symptoms of coughs and congestion.

• Eggs 

Eggs help the body protect itself from the oxidative damage that is caused during the infection period as they are rich in selenium. Not only this, but they also protect the body from infections.

Home Care For Monkeypox

It has been observed that in most cases, the symptoms of monkeypox are mild and mostly don’t require hospitalization. So, if you or anyone in your family also has been infected by this disease then don’t panic. You don’t need a bed in the hospital, just take good care of the patient at home and the symptoms will go away in some weeks. Home care tips for monkeypox are as follows:

• Isolate the infected person at home.
• Cover any skin lesions with a minimal bandage.
• Other members of the family should wear a mask if they roam around the infected area.
• Infected people should also wear a mask if they have symptoms of cough and mouth lesions.
• If you are closely taking care of the patient, for example changing the dressing of old-age people then wear a PPE kit.
• Wear gloves if you have to touch the lesions or the clothes and other belongings of the infected person.
• Clean the towels, bedsheets, and clothes regularly with warm water and detergent.
• Control your pets from moving around the infected person.
• Change the dressings daily and also dispose of them.
• Never share personal things such as clothes, bedsheets, utensils, etc. with the infected person.
• Clean the areas contaminated with the infected person’s touch.

Monkeypox shouldn’t be made a social stigma. If taken proper care it can be cured within weeks. We just need to be informed and educated about the disease, and this article certainly does that. So take care of yourselves and the infected person too. We have been courageous throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and together we shall also overcome this disease.