How much do you know about monkeypox: a practical science guide 

Recently, sporadic cases of monkeypox have appeared, which has attracted the attention of some friends. As a medical popular science creator, today I will talk to you about monkeypox, and use a down-to-earth way to present you with a “Monkeypox Coping Guide” full of practical information.

Don’t panic

As you all know, there has been a cluster outbreak of monkeypox virus subclade Ib in China recently. The source was a foreigner who had a history of living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The good news is that the National Health Commission quickly launched a joint prevention and control mechanism to control the epidemic in a timely manner. All related cases were infected through close contact and had mild symptoms. The epidemic has been effectively dealt with. This fully demonstrates our country’s strong public health emergency response capabilities, and there is no need to panic.

Monkeypox: What kind of monster is it?

Monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Poxviridae family and is a distant relative of the well-known smallpox. Although the word “monkey” is in its name, it is not exclusive to monkeys. Rodents (such as squirrels and Gambian rats) may also be hosts of the virus.

How is monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox is spread mainly in the following ways:

Close contact: This is the main mode of transmission, including contact with infected body fluids, rashes or wounds. Respiratory droplets: Prolonged close contact with an infected person may be transmitted through respiratory droplets. Contact with contaminated objects: Contact with objects contaminated by the virus, such as clothing, sheets, etc. What are the symptoms of monkeypox? How to distinguish it from other skin diseases?

The incubation period of monkeypox is generally 5 to 21 days, with flu-like symptoms appearing in the early stages of the disease:

After fever , headache , muscle aches, back pain, and swollen lymph nodes (a more typical feature of monkeypox) , the most characteristic rash will appear. The rash usually starts on the face and gradually spreads to other parts of the body, going through stages such as spots, papules, blisters, pustules, and finally scabs and shedding. The entire course of the disease lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

How to distinguish monkeypox from other skin diseases? The key is:

Evolution of the rash: The rash of monkeypox has its own specific development stages, which are different from other skin diseases (such as chickenpox, herpes zoster, etc.). Associated symptoms: Monkeypox is usually accompanied by obvious systemic symptoms, while some other skin diseases may only manifest as a localized rash. Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen lymph nodes are more common in monkeypox. If suspicious symptoms occur, do not judge on your own, be sure to seek medical attention in time and have a professional doctor diagnose and identify them.

How can we protect ourselves from monkeypox?

Although monkeypox is relatively less contagious, it is still important to take precautions. We can start from the following aspects:

Avoid contact: Try to avoid close contact with infected or suspected infected people. Personal hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Use protective equipment: Wear a medical mask and disposable gloves when contacting or caring for suspected infected people. Environmental hygiene: Regularly clean and disinfect potentially contaminated objects and environments. What should I do if I get infected?

Currently, there is no specific medicine for monkeypox, and treatment is mainly symptomatic support:

Get enough rest, and replenish water and nutrition. To relieve pain and fever, you can use analgesics such as acetaminophen. Keep the rash area clean and dry, and avoid scratching to prevent secondary infection. If necessary, the doctor may use antiviral drugs (such as tecovir) for treatment. Most importantly, once diagnosed, you should actively cooperate with the doctor for isolation treatment until the symptoms disappear completely.