How To Protect Yourself From Mpox
Humans and animals are the primary victims of mpox. While the mpox symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, they are less severe, causing fever, chills, and body pains. However, it can also result in serious sickness and, in rare instances, even death.
The virus enters the human body through the airways or breaks in the skin. After then, it travels via the blood, giving rise to skin lesions and flu-like symptoms in the affected person.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Michael Marks states that researchers "don't think that mpox has direct effects on the immune system."
He stated, "We don't believe there are long-term impacts on the immune system from mpox, aside from the fact that all infections obviously cause responses in the immune system temporarily."
According to Africa CDC Chief of Staff Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, the virus only produces symptoms that last "two to four weeks."
“It's an illness. Whether you have the severe kind, which results in death, or whether you only get better in two to four weeks. Everything resumes as usual,” he declared.
How is the Mpox virus spread?
Close contact with an infected person or animal can spread the virus. Talking or breathing too closely to an infected person, coming into contact with skin sores, and skin-to-skin contact are all ways that the virus can spread from human to human.
In addition, since the virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory system, or the eyes, nose, and mouth, it can also be transmitted by contaminated surfaces, bedding, clothes, and towels.
According to Marks, skin-to-skin contact is the most significant way for the virus to spread since sores on the skin can harbor the virus for around three weeks. Respiratory transmission is less common because the virus typically clears the throat in seven to ten days for most people.
When an animal bites, scratches, or comes into contact with an infected animal's wounds, the virus usually enters the body and spreads from human to animal.
What Mpox signs and symptoms are present?
Pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms are the disease's main symptoms. Although it is usually not too bad, it can be fatal.
According to Marks, the majority of patients experience a "relatively mild illness" that may include a rash with "five to 25 lesions," fever, and muscle aches.
"A more serious illness with hundreds of lesions all over the body may develop in some people, who become much sicker," he stated.
What factors may result in Mpox symptoms that are more severe?
Although most people with the illness have minor symptoms, certain people are more likely to experience severe symptoms, according to Marks.
" A weakened immune system or untreated HIV infection, for instance, increase a person's risk of developing a serious illness. Additionally, children appear to be more vulnerable to serious illness," he stated.
He clarified that children are probably more susceptible to mpox than adults for "a number of reasons."
"A large portion of the spread occurs in locations with high child population densities, where children are likely more likely to run around and come into close contact with other people, which in turn spreads the infection. Adults, on the other hand, interact with others less directly," he stated.
Ngongo went on to say that as children's immune systems are still developing, they are also more vulnerable.
Is there a treatment for this particular strain of Mpox?
According to Marks, several antiviral medications are being explored, but there is currently no treatment for mpox.
Vaccination, on the other hand, is a useful tool for lowering risk. The DRC and its neighboring nations' most vulnerable populations should receive a sufficient quantity of vaccines as a top priority, he stated.
"Vaccinating those who are at risk will protect them from infection and help control the epidemic, which benefits both the vaccinated individual and the general public," he continued.
Poorer African countries do not have access to the mpox vaccine, which was utilized in the 2022 outbreak by several Western countries, Ngongo added.
"Vaccines are nonexistent in Africa. In the West, any remaining vaccination is hoarded as part of their own emergency supplies. However, there is a continuing situation here," he stated.
Ngongo clarified that the Africa CDC had acquired 280,000 dosages thanks to contributions. However, in order for the vaccine to be effective, recipients must receive two doses, reducing the total amount available to only 140,000 individuals.
How do you protect yourself from Mpox?
In order to contain the infection, Ngongo urged people to "go back to the basics of personal hygiene" by encouraging them to wash their hands, stay away from ill people, and visit the hospital if they are showing symptoms.
If you live in a nation where the vaccine is available, it can also effectively protect the populace.
Is it possible for the mpox virus to spread?
Researchers think that if future outbreaks connected to Congo are discovered fast, transmissions of the virus might be halted reasonably rapidly, considering the resources available in wealthier nations to contain its spread.
According to Marks, the "major risk" lies in central Africa, where the disease is originating and expanding.
"The main risk and the focus for action needs to be on central Africa, but there are likely to be small numbers of cases exported further afield, as [in] the Swedish case," he stated.
Ngongo also exhorted people to "act now" and learn from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rich Health News Desk
The Rich Health News Desk covers breaking medical news and discoveries in Nigeria and all over the world
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