Beware of pain, headache, red rash, know what are the symptoms? When do you need a doctor?

There have been four cases of monkeypox in the country so far. Out of which three were found in Kerala and one in Delhi. A 34-year-old patient admitted to Loknayak Hospital, Delhi had no travel history. In such a situation, it is essential that you have accurate information about monkeypox infection.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a virus that spreads from animals to humans. Its symptoms are similar to smallpox but less severe than smallpox. The virus has two genetic groups – the Central African (Congo Basin) clade and the West African clade. The Congo Basin clade is considered more complex. Its effect is very fast.

Symptoms of monkeypox can take two to four weeks to appear…fever, headache, rash, sore throat, cough and swollen lymph nodes. There may be sores on the body that may last two to four weeks.

How does monkeypox infection spread?

This transmission depends on proximity, that is, the greater the distance between two people, the more likely they are to be infected.

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It can also infect other healthy people when it comes into contact with body fluids or wounds. Also, it can spread through contaminated clothing or bed sheets of an infected patient.

Infection usually occurs within 6 to 13 days. But it can last from 5 to 21 days.

The period of symptoms begins a day or two before the appearance of the red rash, the symptoms continue until the patient has a visible crust on the skin.

According to the WHO, men who have sex with men are more likely to be infected. According to one study, 98% of patients in Europe are homosexual or bisexual.

Is it a new disease?

No. Monkeypox was first discovered in the Congo in the 1970s. Cases have been found in rural and central West Africa of the Congo Basin. Infections have since been reported in 11 African countries. The first outbreak of monkeypox outside of Africa occurred in the United States in 2003.

In 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, infections were found among travelers from Nigeria to Israel and the United Kingdom. More than 16 thousand in 75 countries in May this year.

More were found infected, while 5 died.