Knowing About MonkeyPox
G
KNOWING ABOUT MONKEYPOX.
Monkeypox is a rare disease which is caused by a virus known as the monkeypox virus.
This disease is characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes and a widespread rash on the face, hands, legs and other parts of the body
Monkeypox is usually a self-limited viral infection with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover on their own after a few weeks.
In some circumstances, people can become very sick and could die.
People usually develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the monkeypox virus.
Symptoms typically last from 2 to 4 weeks and may pass through several stages.
The rash can be painful and could affect any part of the body, such as the:
- mouth
- genitals
- perianal
- face
- arms and legs
- feet
- hands
The rash usually lasts between 14 and 28 days and changes through different stages. It finally forms scabs that later fall off. The rash can be accompanied by general symptoms such as:
- fever
- chills
- swollen lymph nodes
- headache
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- back pain
- exhaustion
You are contagious from the onset of first symptoms until the scabs have fallen off on their own and the skin is healed.
If you have symptoms of monkeypox
- isolate at home away from others
- immediately contact your health care provider
SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
If signs or symptoms develop, immediately isolate, contact your local public health authority and follow their instructions.
Reduce your risk of becoming infected by avoiding:
- close physical contact with person you’re caring for
- sharing personal items with the person you’re caring for, such as:
- razors
- needles
- sex toys
- toothbrushes
- contact with clothing, towels or bedding used by the person you’re caring for
- handling utensils and dishes used by the person you’re caring for
You should also:
- clean your hands properly and frequently
- frequently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects
- especially those that the person you’re caring for may have had contact with
