Health
Monkeypox Virus Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention & More
(CTN News) – Recently, the United Kingdom confirmed the first case of monkeypox. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the patient flew in from Nigeria where he contracted the virus. Meanwhile, the patient is being treated and officials in the UK are looking for those who may have had direct contact with him.
What is Monkeypox?
An infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, monkeypox was first described in 1958. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that originates in tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa and is transmitted to other regions. In addition to being a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, the disease-causing virus also belongs to the variola virus, vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine, and cowpox virus.
According to the UKHSA, monkeypox is a mild illness that does not easily spread among humans. In some cases, the disease can still cause severe illness, UKHSA warned.
Symptoms of Monkeypox
Fever, headache, muscle aches, backaches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and tiredness are among the initial symptoms, according to UKHSA. The rash may appear later, usually starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. The rash typically progresses through many stages before forming a scab, which eventually peels off.
Causes and treatment of Monkeypox
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say monkey-pox can spread to humans if they come in contact with someone who was infected by rodents. While a person-to-person transmission is rare, coughing, sneezing, and airborne droplets can spread the disease. Similarly, inadequately cooked meat from infected animals or other infected animal products can spread the disease.