Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. While it is similar to smallpox, mpox is generally less severe and less contagious.
- Transmission:
- Animal to Human: The virus can spread to humans through contact with infected animals, such as rodents and primates, through bites, scratches, or direct contact with their bodily fluids.
- Human to Human: It can also spread between people through close contact, including direct contact with skin lesions, respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face interaction, and contact with contaminated objects like bedding or clothing.
- Symptoms:
- Incubation Period: Typically 7-14 days, but can range from 5-21 days.
- Initial Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.
- Rash Development: Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the fever, a rash develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
- Progression of Rash: The rash typically goes through several stages, including macules (flat, discolored lesions), papules (raised lesions), vesicles (fluid-filled lesions), pustules (pus-filled lesions), and finally scabs before healing.
- Severity:
- Most cases of mpox are mild and self-limiting, lasting 2-4 weeks.
- Severe cases can occur, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, young children, or those with underlying health conditions.
- Diagnosis:
- Diagnosis is usually made based on the characteristic rash and confirmed by laboratory testing, such as PCR testing (swab) of the lesions.
- Treatment:
- There is no specific treatment for mpox, but antiviral medications such as tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be used in severe cases. The Department of Health obtained authorization for use of tecovirimat from the South Africa Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
- Supportive care, including pain management, hydration, and treatment of secondary bacterial infections, is important.
- Prevention:
- Avoid contact with animals or humans that could harbor the virus.
- Infected individuals should be isolated to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Wash hands regularly with sanitizer or soap.
- Don’t touch contaminated objects like bedding or clothing.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects.
- Make sure meat is thoroughly cooked.
The painful rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, etc.
Notice any unusual rashes or symptoms? Consult with a South African online doctor on WhatsApp now on 0746006000 – Whatsup Doc.
https://www.nicd.ac.za/latest-update-on-mpox-outbreak-and-response-efforts/
https://health.gov.za/monkeypox/downloads/press_release.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON525