So you have monkeypox. What to do now?

So, you have fever, body aches, chills and fatigue and are scared that you might have monkeypox. What are you going to do? First: contact health workers for advice instead of jumping to self-medication.

Monkeypox symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment. Contact health workers and let them know if you have had close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed monkeypox.

"If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others," the WHO said.

You can reduce your risk by limiting contact with people who have suspected or confirmed monkeypox.

What are monkeypox symptoms?

Most monkeypox patients experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. People with more serious illness may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.

What are the treatment options?

Monkeypox symptoms often resolve on their own without the need for treatment. It is important to take care of the rash by letting it dry if possible or covering it with a moist dressing to protect the area if needed. Avoid touching any sores in the mouth or eyes.  

An antiviral that was developed to treat smallpox (tecovirimat, commercialised as TPOXX) was also approved for the treatment of monkeypox in January 2022.

Monkeypox in India

India reported its first case of monkeypox on Thursday. A man from Kerala who returned from the UAE tested positive for the virus.

The man, hailing from Kollam district, arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 12 and all his close contacts have been identified, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said.

Are there any vaccines for monkeypox?

According to the WHO, there isn't a specific vaccine for monkeypox, but data shows that vaccines that were used to eradicate smallpox are up to 85% effective against it

The European Union has signed an agreement with Bavarian Nordic, a biotechnology company for the supply of about 110,000 doses of its Imvanex shot. The US and Canada are also using this smallpox vaccine for monkeypox, reported Reuters.

What is Monkeypox? How does it spread?

Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. It is transmitted to humans from animals with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients.

Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or recently contaminated objects. Sharing bedding and clothes and utensils contaminated with the virus via contact with an infected person, can also infect you.

Can it be fatal?

The case fatality ratio of monkeypox has historically ranged from 0 to 11 % in the general population and has been higher among young children. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3–6%.

What is the government doing?

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is sending a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Kerala to collaborate with the State Health Authorities in instituting public health measures in view of the confirmed case of monkeypox in Kollam district.

The Centre has also asked the states to ensure screening and testing of all suspect cases at points of entry and in the community.

Monkeypox a sexually transmitted disease?

Monkeypox is just like any other sexually transmitted infection. Somehow WHO is not declaring it as it will cause some kind of stigma/discrimination against people who are currently infected with it, Dr Ishwar Gilada, infectious diseases expert and consultant for HIV/STDs told ANI.

WHO has said monkeypox can spread through close contact of any kind, including through kissing, touching, oral and penetrative vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infectious.