Monkeypox: how it is spread and how to protect yourself

Monkeypox (VM) or monkeypox. Perhaps until now you had never heard of this smallpox, nor of the “old” smallpox. This is so called because it can be passed from animals, such as monkeys, to humans.

Now we are hearing about it because, despite being an endemic viral disease in certain African countries, in mid-May 2022 we learned that it was taking place. cases of monkeypox also in countries where this disease does not normally occur.

In this article we will answer all your questions regarding monkeypox. And perhaps the most important of all: What can I do to protect myself from this smallpox? Knock, knock: Good sense knocks on the door.

What is monkeypox

The first case of monkeypox was known in 1970. The monkeypox virus primarily affects monkeys, squirrels, rodents, dormice, and other animals. Let’s keep in mind that rodents are very numerous in the world, some are kept as pets and can transmit various diseases to humans. Once the disease has jumped from animals to humans, it can be transmitted between humans.

Where monkeypox is most common It manifests itself with a variety of symptoms of different magnitude. It begins as a common febrile picture with malaise, fever, body pain, headache.

Evolves with swollen glands and blistering lesions on the skin especially on hands, feet, face, lips, mouth and genital organs. Generally, monkeypox evolves favorably. These new cases manifest, for the most part, in a milder way than in endemic countries.

Some people due to weakness or immunodeficiency can manifest the disease in a more serious form, as we explain later.

Symptoms of monkeypox or monkeypox

Monkeypox symptoms are classified into groups for better evaluation and treatment:

Type (A): The onset resembles a common febrile picture: fever (temperature greater than 38º), chills, intense fatigue, headache or headache, myalgia or general muscle pain.Type B): Swollen lymph nodes in neck, groin, armpits.Type (C): About 3 days after onset (A) the typical skin lesions begin to appear, mainly on the face, lips, mouth, eyelids, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, on the arms, legs, and on the genital organs. . The lesions present an evolution from being shown as a macule or spot, evolving into a papule, a vesicle, a pustule with pus and, finally, the formation of a scab.

How long does it take to manifest and heal

The incubation period, that is, the time that passes from infection to the onset of symptoms, can be from 5 to 21 days. It does not seem that there can be contagion in the incubation period.

The usual duration of the disease from the first symptoms is between 2 and 4 weeks.

The evolution is usually good, without complications. Appropriate treatment helps to avoid sequelae and recovery is favourable.

However, although monkeypox is not serious in most cases, it is very important to note that if a person with previous complications becomes infected, it could be serious for them. In endemic countries, children and newborns, the elderly are among the risk groups with a severe course.

How do you spread monkeypox?

From animals to people, through contact with sick animals. From person to person. This virus “needs” close, close, prolonged contact between people: skin to skin, face to face, mouth to skin, of a certain duration, such as for games, when we embrace, sleeping together or in intimate relationships. By contact with lesions and fluids of the sick person: Saliva. Secretions and respiratory droplets. Contact with lesions on the skin and mucous membranes (mouth, lips, genital area, perianal, respiratory, vaginal). Semen, possibly. Fomites (contaminated utensils or materials): glasses, cutlery, clothing and bedding.

How to prevent monkeypox

Contagion between people is produced by direct and prolonged contact “skin to skin”, “face to face”, “mouth to skin” with wounds and fluids, clothing, bedding and utensils of a sick person as explained in detail in this article.

Self-care involves avoid being in direct and prolonged contact with a sick person, avoid intimate relationships with a person who is sick or has symptoms.

Essential hygiene like wash hands, wear a mask and disposable gloves to handle clothing or utensils. Maintaining intimate relationships with protection is always a good idea, especially if you are strangers, since many diseases can be transmitted.

It is crucial to take care of your immune system Well, he is going to defend you: keeping your defenses in good condition is crucial to deal with any microorganism. Leading a healthy lifestyle, avoiding the effects of excessive stress, sleeping well, and the help of certain plants, fungi and nutrients can help you minimize the course of the disease in case of contagion and achieve a good recovery.

If you are vaccinated against smallpox, the protection against VM is 85%, so those over 45-50 years of age, depending on the country, who are vaccinated against smallpox have this protection. However, monkeypox is a notifiable disease, If you have been in contact with someone who is sick or you are, follow the instructions of your country in this regard.

10 Outstanding measures in personal and global prevention

Avoid contagion from animals to people. If you find a dead animal, or you don’t know if it’s sick, don’t touch it without gloves or a mask: call 911. Avoid contact with infected people. Early diagnosis of sick people. Consult at the slightest suspicion. Remember that you can infect other people and also your pets. If you travel to endemic places and you eat food of animal origin make sure it is well cooked.Seek veterinary care if any animal or pets show symptoms of disease or if they have been in contact with infected animals: If you are sick, avoid contact with other people and animals. Your pets could get sick.Take care of yourself. the right treatment It allows to shorten the duration and severity of the disease, decreases the time in which you can infect others.Respect essential personal, pet and environmental hygiene. Use gloves and masks if you have to clean or wash the clothes of people or your sick pet. Wash the clothes of the sick person (towels, sheets, mattress cover, blankets…) with detergent and in a program with hot water 60º. Use washing machine better. If you don’t have one, use hot water (without burning yourself), put on gloves and use soap. The same goes for your pet’s clothes or blankets. Wash the utensils used by the sick person (dishes, cutlery…) with soap and water. Better use the dishwasher.

15 Natural and Lifestyle Aids for Optimized Immune Protection

Take care of your immune system.He is the one who will always deal with a virus, repair tissues and recover. Respect the hygiene’s norm essential.Protect yourself in your intimate relationships.Sleep welland enough hours.Eat a healthy diet. Give priority to fruits and vegetables for their great wealth of vitamins, minerals and other active substances. The colors of the vegetables provide bioactive agents that normally have antimicrobial action, modulate inflammation, repair tissues, are antioxidants and help the immune system. Proteins of high biological value are very important to have strength and enzymes that help us obtain energy.Incorporate plants, foods and medicinal mushrooms into your diet with regulatory actions of the immune system, antimicrobial: for example: reishi, rhodiola, maitake, oyster mushroom, shiitake, sage, astragalus. Cook with them or use trusted nutritional supplements.Take advantage of essential oils.Cook with spices and plants rich in essential oils that can be antiviral, for example, mint, oregano, sage, cinnamon, ginger, thyme. Compresses infused with chamomile or mint help soothe itching and are antiseptic.Incorporate prebiotics and probiotics into your diet as fermented and/or as nutritional supplements, thus helping the microbiota of mucous membranes and skin.Maintain regular physical activity. A trained body responds better to the demands for protection in case of infections. Strength matters too. Learn to deal with stress. Excessive stress is pro-inflammatoryand may decrease antiviral activity. Meditate, relax 10 minutes a day.Have a hobby. As much as you love your job: do something else. Disconnect and reserve some free time.Do a detox. It is very important, do detox at least twice a year at the changes of season. Share with your loved ones.Thanks. Every morning is a gift of life. Don’t take anything for granted.Smile, your brain believes that you are happy and the whole body perceives it as such.