Monkeypox, also known as monkey pox, is caused by the monkeypox virus, and it affects both monkeys and humans alike. While most humans infected with the virus will never show symptoms, others will experience a range of symptoms that can include fever, rash, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, according to the CDC. In rare cases, the infection can be fatal in people without adequate access to medical care or medicine. Read on to learn more about monkeypox and how it might affect you or your children if you’re in an area where the virus has recently spread.
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What is monkeypox?
The monkeypox virus, which does not often affect humans, is spread by contact with infected animals or people. It causes a serious illness that is sometimes fatal. The virus can be transmitted from one person to another, though this is rare. Transmission may also happen by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Once the virus enters your body it starts multiplying in your lymph nodes before spreading throughout your body. This can cause fever along with other symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, and pains, chills, sore throat, swollen glands in the groin area or neck region, tiredness (fatigue), nausea and vomiting (gastroenteritis), inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis)
How do you get monkeypox?
The monkeypox virus is spread through human contact with the saliva of an infected person. A person can become infected by touching a surface or object that has been contaminated with the virus, then touching their mouth or nose. There have not been any cases where someone became sick from simply being near an infected person who was coughing or sneezing.
The virus can also be transmitted when a person's clothes, skin, or household items come into contact with an infected person's saliva.
How common is monkeypox?
The monkeypox virus is a rare disease that most often occurs in Africa, but it has been recently spreading in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Nigeria. The first case of monkeypox was reported in the United States in 2003. There have been over 1,000 cases reported worldwide. It is still unclear why some people who come into contact with the virus develop a severe illness while others do not.
The majority of cases are seen in children under 15 years old, which can lead to complications during pregnancy that may harm the unborn child; it can also lead to blindness or death if a pregnant woman contracts the virus during pregnancy. In these cases, a monkeypox vaccine should be administered as soon as possible after exposure.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Some monkeypox symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and swelling of lymph nodes in the neck or groin area. If you suspect your child has contracted monkeypox, see a doctor right away. A physician can diagnose your child's illness by doing a physical examination. For example, if they're experiencing fever they'll measure the child's temperature; if they have swollen lymph nodes they may use ultrasound or biopsy to take a closer look. Tests such as CT scans can be used to determine whether your child has an internal abscess that needs drainage.
Can my child attend daycare or school?
It is unlikely your child will contract monkeypox if they are around other children because of the airborne transmission, but it's still not a risk worth taking. The only way for an adult or child who has never been vaccinated against the virus to get monkeypox is from direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person infected with monkeypox. There have only been five reported cases of kids contracting monkeypox in the U.S., all from Africa, where more than 14,000 people have contracted the disease, according to CDC estimates. Monkeypox symptoms include high fever and rash, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or groin area for about 10-14 days after exposure followed by lesions on the skin that scab over within three weeks.
How can I prevent getting infected?
A monkeypox virus is a rare disease that primarily affects animals. One in ten people who get it will become very ill, with symptoms including fever, headache, backache, chills, or swollen glands. The best way to prevent infection is by avoiding contact with infected animals. If you do come into contact with an animal that is sick or has had close contact with an infected animal then make sure you wash your hands right away. Also, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and avoid close contact with other people until the risk of spreading the virus has passed. Finally, don’t touch any surfaces that have blood on them because the virus can live outside the body for up to eight hours before being killed off by disinfectants such as bleach.
When should I see a doctor?
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox. However, the virus is not as serious as smallpox and has a lower death rate. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor right away: fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. Once you are seen by a doctor they will perform blood tests which will help them diagnose if it is monkeypox or something else. If it turns out that it is monkeypox there is no cure for the disease but there are treatments to help manage some of the symptoms such as fever reducers.
Should I be worried if my child gets this infection?
Parents should not be worried, however, they should be educated on the symptoms of this virus. The monkeypox vaccine is a precautionary measure for children who are in high-risk areas or locations, as well as adults in those same high-risk areas. If you suspect your child has contracted the virus, consult your doctor immediately.
Key points about monkeypox virus infection in children.
The monkeypox virus is a rare disease that causes fever, rash, muscle aches, and sometimes swollen lymph nodes. It is transmitted from person-to-person through contact with infected animals or people. There are two types of monkeypox vaccine for children – the first type can be given in two doses six weeks apart; the second type should be given in three doses six weeks apart. Vaccines are typically only recommended if you are traveling out of the country where there is a risk of contracting this virus or if you have been exposed to someone who has contracted it. Additionally, children under the age of five should not receive the vaccine because it could cause serious side effects on them such as encephalitis or severe brain damage.