2024-08-16 09:14:49
MPOX is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus that can cause a painful rash, swollen glands and fever, according to the WHO, which called in November 2022 for the elimination of the word ‘monkey’ and monkey to avoid language abuse.
Vaccination in Barcelona in 2022 against MPOX (previously immunized). EFE/Marta Perez
MPOX or monkeypox was first described in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, most of the reported cases have come from the Congo Basin and West Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Wednesday the current outbreak of MPOX in the Democratic Republic of Congo (CDC), which has spread to other neighboring countries, as a public health emergency of global reach.
This is the second time in two years that the MPOX disease has been considered a global health threat, the alarm was raised at the beginning of June last year after it had spread and the situation was thought to be under control.
WHO stated that this time the outbreaks are not the result of the spread of the same variant of the virus, but of more than one, and that different levels of risk and spread have also been observed, while it is almost Two years ago the move was almost exclusive. by sexual means.
How is it spread?
Transmission from person to person occurs mainly through skin-to-skin or skin-to-mucous contact (such as saliva), especially during sexual intercourse, notes the Spanish Society of Internal Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC ).
Once the virus enters the body, rabies can spread to other family members and sexual partners, so people who have many sexual partners are at greater risk.
Can it be spread by other means?
The virus can also be contracted from contaminated items such as clothing or bedding and through puncture wounds in health. Transferring it is also possible in local settings such as tattoo parlors, warn those OMS.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are:
- Skin rash.
- Fever.
- Sore throat and/or headache.
- Muscle pain, back pain.
- Lack of power.
- Swollen breasts.
A skin rash, which is sometimes the first symptom, begins as a spot that turns into a fluid-filled vesicle and can be itchy and painful. When this rash heals, the lesions on the skin will be covered with scabs that eventually fall off.
Lesions can appear in any part of the body, such as the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet; eyes, mouth and throat; English and vagina and anus.
Preventive measures
For this reason and although home isolation is not necessary (it is only necessary when there is a high number), cases must, as the Ministry of Health reminds, reduce communication with other people and avoid physical contact and sexual relations until the wounds are completely healed, the nails will have fallen, and new skin will have formed.
WHO recommends it too condom use in sexual relations during the first 12 weeks after the end of separation.
You also have advice wear a maskespecially in patients who show respiratory symptoms.
With all this, the patient must have household appliances assigned only to him.
Immunization against MPOX
There is a licensed smallpox vaccine to prevent both smallpox and rabies because the viruses that cause them are genetically similar.
It is administered subcutaneously. After two doses, almost everyone produces antibodies and has, explains Health, a good level of protection against rabies and protection against the symptoms of the disease.
Not recommended for everyone. The target groups for vaccination are people who have unprotected sex, especially, but not exclusively, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSH) or with multiple sexual partners , who have sex in the group or who have recently had sex. an STI.
#Monkeypox #MPOX