Monkeypox...Another Pandemic?!

Are we entering another pandemic with Monkeypox? Learn what Monkeypox is, the signs and symptoms, and if you are at risk for contracting Monkeypox. Specialties Disease News

Monkeypox...Another Pandemic?!

After entering the perceived recovery phase of Covid-19, the last thing we want is another pandemic. However, we are now experiencing an outbreak of the Monkeypox virus. An outbreak is a dramatic increase of disease exposure in a geographic location, region, or community. Monkeypox has reached the United States, with New York having the highest number of cases at 581 and California following at 267. You may ask, “what is Monkeypox?”, “how do I catch Monkeypox virus?” and “should I be worried?”.

What is Monkeypox?

In 1958, Monkeypox was discovered among a group of research monkeys. Despite the name ‘Monkeypox,’ the actual virus did not originate from monkeys; in fact, the origin of the virus is unknown. What is known is the virus is related to the same virus that caused the infamous smallpox outbreak in the 17th century.

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Monkeypox affects animals such as rodents, monkeys, and rats. However, the virus can also infect humans. It usually infects animals who live in the Central and West African regions. International travel and close contact with infected animals or humans increase the risk of infection.

How Do I Catch Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is transmitted through: 

  • Bodily secretions through sexual contact and touching.
  • Being in close intimate contact, breathing the same air as an infected person, for example, when kissing for more than 4 hours. 
  • Blood, as an infected pregnant mother can pass the infection to her baby through the placenta.
  • Contact with the infected person’s rashes and items 
  • Being in contact with infected animals through bites, consuming infected animals, or scratches. 

Symptoms of Monkeypox 

Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox manifest 5-21 days after exposure and last about 2-4 weeks which include: 

  • Swollen lymph nodes 
  • Muscle aches and chills
  • Fever 
  • Exhaustion 
  • Blister-filled rashes that appear on hands, face, inside of the mouth, feet, or can appear near the genitalia or orifice. 

Usually, after the fever, a rash starts on the feet, face, or hands as flat red spots. This rash then spreads to the rest of the body, being filled with puss until they scab over and fall off. 

Should I Be Worried? 

Luckily, Monkeypox is not initially fatal. However, people may have complications from Monkeypox like: 

  • Blindness
  • Severe scarring on the body
  • Infections 
  • And can lead to death.

But there is hope. Since Monkeypox and Smallpox are similar, there are antiviral drugs that may help to combat the virus. Antiviral medications like tecovirimat (TPOXX) are used for people with a weakened immune system to help fight the Monkeypox disease.

Here are Some Steps to Take to Protect Yourself

  • Wash your hands with soap and water 
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Avoid contact with people who are infected with monkeypox
  • Do not eat after, use eating utensils after, or touch items people who are infected with monkeypox have touched
  • Do not have sex with anyone who has monkeypox
  • Avoid contact with infected animals from Central and West Africa

What Does the CDC Recommend?

See your healthcare provider if you have a new skin rash or develop a fever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone who may be at high risk of being infected should be vaccinated, such as:

  • Healthcare and public workers
  • People with multiple sexual partners or who have been diagnosed with Monkeypox disease within the last two weeks. 
  • Isolate if infected until blisters heal and scab over 

Although Monkeypox is considered an outbreak, it’s not recommended that everyone get the vaccination at this time.

In conclusion, Monkeypox is highly contiguous and is contained in New York and California at this time. People who travel internationally and are in close contact with infected animals or humans are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Between 5-21 days after exposure, you will produce a fever, then a rash appears. The rash has many stages but starts as red spots on the hands, feet, and face and then spreads to the rest of the body. The CDC recommends vaccinating those at high risk of contracting the virus. If you develop a fever or a rash, seek medical attention. Contact your primary care physician immediately. Although the Monkeypox virus is not initially fatal, it can lead to death.  


References

About Monkeypox

History of Smallpox

Monkeypox: What is it and how can it be prevented?

2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak: 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count

Outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics—what you need to know

Sheana Gray has 2 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in RN Freelance Content Writer.

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Specializes in Education.

Thanks for sharing, I am yet to know whether being infected with Monkey Pox provides a means of immunity to the disease, or can there be re-current infections?

Specializes in RN Freelance Content Writer.

@Rita June Jarvis Isaac good questions. Maybe I'll write a part two to this article addressing concerns like yours. Thank you for reading ?

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Don’t put hands in mouth like the meme either… but that’s just a good little bit of advice to prevent any illness ?

Per WHO, the highest risk group is men who have sex with men. This is a sexually transmitted disease that is primarily affecting very specific groups. 

Lots of good information here:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/27/monkeypox-who-recommends-gay-bisexual-men-limit-sexual-partners-to-reduce-spread.html

Specializes in Occupational Health.
On 8/1/2022 at 5:14 PM, offlabel said:

Per WHO, the highest risk group is men who have sex with men. This is a sexually transmitted disease that is primarily affecting very specific groups. 

Isn't it amazing how this "tidbit" of info is not being shared in the media....

Specializes in Primary Care, Military.
On 8/26/2022 at 2:24 PM, sleepwalker said:

Isn't it amazing how this "tidbit" of info is not being shared in the media....

Probably because it's not a sexually transmitted infection. It's an infection that is spread by prolonged close contact, secretions, blood, contact with the rash/skin of those infected, scratches/bites from infected animals, or consuming said animal. As you can easily see in the articles about it, it's in the same family as the smallpox virus. Unless you're suggesting that smallpox is also an STI? 

  It is currently predominantly impacting one vulnerable subsection of our population, but we shouldn't kid ourselves. This isn't HIV. You aren't going to avoid it with standard precautions. Simple abstinence wouldn't stop the spread of smallpox. Advising patients who are among the highest risk populations on behavioral modifications is fine, but vaccination is particularly important. For those patients, close contacts, and others at risk. Since they aren't using the typical live virus vaccinia-based smallpox vaccine, with all its associated adverse effects, all the better. 

Specializes in Occupational Health.
2 hours ago, HarleyvQuinn said:

It is currently predominantly impacting one vulnerable subsection of our population,

This is the "tidbit" I was referring to....thanks to media's "political correctness" the information necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus is not being distributed

Specializes in Primary Care, Military.
13 hours ago, sleepwalker said:

This is the "tidbit" I was referring to....thanks to media's "political correctness" the information necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus is not being distributed

Really? In all the news surrounding the current spread, I've heard about how it's impacting predominantly men who have sex with men constantly. I, of course, can't say that all news sources are covering it in the same way, and the phrase "your mileage may vary" does apply. I routinely source my information from medical updates and resources on these matters due to the sensationalist nature of public media. I do remember seeing an interview of two flight attendants, one male, and one female, who had recently contracted the virus from their work speaking about their experiences. I felt that coverage more clearly highlighted the nature of how this virus is spread and how anyone can be at risk of coming into contact with it. 

Long story short: It's not an STI. It may be predominant in one vulnerable population right now, but that's not due to how it's spread. It doesn't diminish the fact that anyone is susceptible to the virus if they come into contact with those who have it - prolonged close contact, not sexual contact. It takes more than an admonishment of "wear protection and have fewer sexual partners" for adequate medical education here. 

 One measure that is necessary to help mitigate the spread is more available vaccination for those who request them. I'm not sure if you've seen the uproar from the GLBTQ community, but they are upset about this very lack of appropriate access to these necessary vaccines. I have seen plenty of coverage of this issue, as well as the concern of "releasing too many vaccines" due to concerns over potential bioterrorism using smallpox. I would imagine we should be better about getting vaccines to those who want them, considering what we've been through only too recently. 

I think what turns people off is the constant polemical insertion of ideology with regard to communicable dz that has occurred with the covid pandemic. Both from the right and the left. So, monkey pox shows up and is immediately placed in the same category of public health emergency as Covid by those who would make political hay of the situation. Not even remotely in the same category, but absolutely the intended message. Globally, hepatis C is a greater risk to men that have sex with men than monkey pox, yet there is an "up roar" from the GLBTQ community about what overwhelmingly a behavioral and discretion based transmitted dz. 

Specializes in Primary Care, Military.
10 hours ago, offlabel said:

I think what turns people off is the constant polemical insertion of ideology with regard to communicable dz that has occurred with the covid pandemic. Both from the right and the left. So, monkey pox shows up and is immediately placed in the same category of public health emergency as Covid by those who would make political hay of the situation. Not even remotely in the same category, but absolutely the intended message. Globally, hepatis C is a greater risk to men that have sex with men than monkey pox, yet there is an "up roar" from the GLBTQ community about what overwhelmingly a behavioral and discretion based transmitted dz. 

I suppose, in my view, it was gaining a lot of attention because it was seen as strange that it was gaining ground in countries that it had never before all of a sudden. All after we've struggled with a difficult pandemic. A disease we do already know about, have a vaccine for and know how to prevent. Yet, because it is only predominantly impacting an already marginalized population, men who have sex with men, didn't they have a right to be suspicious regarding what appeared to be a slow response in making the vaccine, treatment, and information available? I've seen comments in other forums suggest that we shouldn't even bother with offering vaccines, because "this community" should just "be more responsible." As if this wasn't a condition spread by close contact, but rather an actual STI, or that even if it were, somehow patients don't deserve preventative medicine and should just not engage in behavior that some clinicians deem distasteful. ?‍♀️

 I mean, sure, I would prefer if everyone didn't engage in risky sexual practices, regardless of sexual orientation. I'd also prefer if people didn't engage in risky practices regarding eating, physical activity (or inactivity), substance use (including nicotine and alcohol), or driving while tired/mad/distracted. I'd really like it if people would watch their kids at the pool so I didn't have to pull one out of the water every time I visit the water park. That's another rant altogether, though. I still provide education when I see every patient on risk and prevention and offer preventive services like vaccines. As Benjamin Franklin once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.