How to protect yourself against monkeypox, what to do if you catch it
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This illustration, taken on May 23, 2022 shows two test tubes labeled “Monkeypox virus negative and positive”.
Dado Ruvic | Reuters
The United States has recently been hit by a monkeypox pandemic.,Experts in health have been baffled by Europe, Australia, the Middle East and are now expressing concern about a larger outbreak.
According to WHO, 346 cases were confirmed or suspected in 22 other countries than Africa as of Wednesday. This is where the disease is most prevalent. Our World in Data.
The outbreak is the first to be confirmed as a result of widespread spread in the community. Before the outbreak, most cases could have been linked with travel to areas where the virus was endemic or to imported animals.
A majority of the new cases were already solved. spread through sexA particular focus is on those who are a part of the sex group. men who have sex with other men.But, the World Health Organization warned that everyone could get the virus. The virus is particularly dangerous for children, pregnant women and those with immunocompromised.
A release from the WHO’s website said Wednesday.
Monkeypox can be a very rare form of smallpox. It is caused by the monkeypoxvirus, which falls under the same umbrella as smallpox but usually less severe. Monkeypox vaccines are 85% effective in preventing the disease.
WHO said MondayMass vaccinations were unlikely to be needed in order to fight the epidemic. The public health agency advised people to use safe and clean sex in order to control the spread of the disease, considering the speed of the epidemic and lack of information about its causes.
How to protect yourself from monkeypox
Health experts are unanimous in their belief that the chances of the virus spreading to the general population are very low. However, there are steps you can take to minimize your chance of it.
These are the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.K. National Health Service and WHO
- It is important to avoid contact with those with the virus, or anyone with whom you may be infected.
- If you come into close contact with anyone suffering from symptoms, wear a mask.
- Condoms are a good option. If your sexual partner has recently been divorced, keep an eye on symptoms.
- Avoid contact with other animals at risk for the disease. Avoid contact with sick animals, dead animals, and especially those who have had previous infections, like monkeys or rodents. prairie dogs.
- Practice good hand hygiene, especially after coming into contact with infected — or suspected infected —animals or humans. Use an alcohol-based hand soap or wash your hands with water.
- Protective equipment (PPE), should be worn when treating patients who have monkeypox confirmed or suspected.
The 2003 electron microscope photo by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention depicts mature oval-shaped monkeypox viruses, left, and immature, spherical virions that were obtained from human skin samples associated with the 2003 prairie dogs outbreak, right.
Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner – CDC via AP| CDC via AP
You should avoid touching surfaces and other materials with Monkeypox.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb said, “This virus can be carried on items like blankets or other objects that are stable enough to survive outside of the human host.” said Monday.
CNBC heard from Emmanuel Andre on Wednesday, a professor at Ku Leuven University’s medicine department.
He said that he didn’t think it was necessary for people to avoid public places, taxis and shopping malls.
He said, “The average person doesn’t have to take more precautions than they do in normal life.” If people fall into the “high-risk” population and are well aware that their environment is high-risk they need to take additional precautions.
How to deal with monkeypox
You should immediately seek medical attention if you think you might have monkeypox.
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headaches, muscle ache, swelling and backpain. The skin is then prone to rashes or lesions, which can appear on the hands, feet, nose, and mouth. one to five days. The rash may become raised bumps then into blisters.
This graphic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows symptoms that were seen in one of the first cases of monkeypox. It was taken by a patient on May 27, 2003.
Getty Images| Getty Images
One of the most common symptoms of the virus is confusion with herpes, chickenpox or syphilis. However, it’s important to get medical advice.
Monkeypox is a serious illness that can cause severe symptoms. The disease is usually mild, and people generally recover within two to four weeks.
Although medical advice can vary between countries, the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS), notes that it is consistent. you may need to stay in a specialist hospitalTo prevent the spread of infection to others.
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