There has been a lot of discussion about monkeypox in the past few months as cases climb in North Texas and across the globe. Monkeypox is not a new virus, but we have not previously seen person-to-person spread at this scale. At Texas Health, our focus is on making caregivers aware and vigilant, and sharing accurate information with our patients and community.
According to the CDC, the monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox. Although monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone, recent cases have mainly, but not exclusively, been identified among men who have sex with men. Monkeypox is rarely fatal in healthy adults, and most patients will fully recover at home. Antivirals are reserved for patients with severe cases or those who are immunocompromised. Vaccines are available and being distributed through county health departments, although supplies are still limited.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a virus that is closely related to smallpox. It was discovered in monkeys in 1958 and in humans in 1970 in Africa. In 2022, the CDC and World Health Organization began seeing the spread of monkeypox in North America, Europe and Africa.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person to person by:
- Contact with an infected rash, scabs or bodily fluids
- Face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex
- Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that were infected with the virus
- Crossing the placenta to the fetus while in-utero
- Being scratched or bitten by an infected animal
- Preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal
What are the signs and symptoms?
Signs and symptoms start five to 21 days after contact and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Feeling very tired
- Rash and blisters
Signs and symptoms may last two to four weeks.
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