You might have turned on the news recently and been bombarded with this seemingly ‘new’ STD on everyone’s radar called Monkeypox. While it isn’t anything new per se, Monkeypox is an uncommon viral illness brought on by infection with the monkeypox virus.
Quick Introduction to Monkeypox
Monkeypox cases in humans first appeared in records in 1970. However the illness was first identified in groups of experimental monkeys in 1958. The most current monkeypox outbreak, which started in the United Kingdom, occurred in May 2022. The first instance of Monkeypox was discovered in a man who had visited Nigeria in early May 2022. As of 24th July, 2022, The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that at then 15,000 cases have been identified. The biggest differentiating factor for this time’s alarm is the unseen circumstances where the bulk of cases of Monkeypox come from nations outside where the illness is prevalent, like West or Central Africa.
Several nations, including Portugal, Spain, the United States, Australia, Sweden, and Canada, have been impacted by the ongoing instances this year. In July, a Malaysian man living in Singapore tested positive for Monkeypox and presented with symptoms including skin lesions on the lower abdomen, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. However, news agencies have latched on to the data that gay men and men who have had sex with other men (MSM) account for the majority of cases, causing a skewed perception of this virus.
Symptoms And Risk Factors of Monkeypox
After an infection begins, it takes a person approximately 2 weeks to experience symptoms. The onset of the illness may be accompanied by fever, muscle pain, backaches, and swollen lymph nodes. Along with these symptoms, people may also experience weariness, chills, and a rash with blisters on their bodies, especially around their genitalia and anus. Lesions that resemble pimples in the buttocks or genitalia are one sign of the ongoing monkeypox outbreak (penis, testicles, labia and vagina). These lesions go through a number of stages before healing and can also occur on the face, hands, chest, or feet. They usually start off as a flat red rash that progresses into pustules, though some of them can also become scabs, causing hurt and itch to the patient.
Anyone who has close contact with an infected person, regardless of sex, ethnicity, or gender, is at risk of contracting the virus. Nevertheless, the likelihood of getting Monkeypox in the general population is thought to be somewhat low. Large parties (like rave parties) and sex venues are two examples of public places where the virus might spread easily.
Is Monkeypox an STD?
Although Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted illness in the traditional sense, it can nevertheless spread through sex. Monkeypox can still spread through non-sexual circumstances, despite the fact that the majority of the 2022 cases were shown to be through the involvement of sexual activity:
- Skin-to-skin contact. Direct skin-to-skin contact, which is thought to be the primary mode of transmission, can happen while kissing, sexual activity, or unintentionally rubbing up against other people’s skin at music festivals or dancing events.
- Face-to-face interaction. During extended face-to-face interactions, respiratory droplets operate as the means of transmission. Having said that, taking care of or residing in the same home as an infected individual can result in transmission.
- Cohabitation and sharing of personal belongings. The likelihood of contracting an infection rises when people share things like towels, bedding, sex toys, and dirty clothing while residing together.
So how can I protect myself from Monkeypox?
There are a number of things you can do to lower your chance of acquiring Monkeypox, and the first starts with getting the right knowledge. There are many unverified sources and rumours spreading around. Thus, getting professionally verified information is the best safeguard at this time.
However, safe sex practices and regular or STD testing should you get into contact with anyone who has Monkeypox or has been in close contact with someone who has it will be the best safeguard you can do for yourself and your loved ones around you.
Handling Monkeypox
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that there are currently no specific therapies for Monkeypox, but because the viruses that cause smallpox and Monkeypox are genetically related, smallpox vaccines and antiviral medications may also be used to treat monkeypox infections. People with lower immune systems and those who become sick more frequently are advised to take antivirals like tecovirimat (TPOXX).
Mild Monkeypox cases usually go away in two to four weeks. Others may need intravenous fluids and other types of medication to reduce fever, while some people may only need pain medication and oral fluids. Depending on their conditions, people with serious illnesses may also be given specific medications.
Conclusion – safety comes first
We at Elyon Clinic believe in safeguarding our patients. It’s more than just another disease or virus to us, as we know first-hand how contracting various diseases can impact those around us negatively. Thus, we hope to educate the public on something that can seem so potentially scary in the hopes that it can help them become more aware of the safety practices they can uphold to protect themselves and those around them. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry!
