Mpox: The hidden virus you’ve never heard of

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Introduction to M-Pox

We all faced a severe pandemic named COVID-19, caused by to SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in Wuhan, China. 

On March 24,2020, the Indian government announced a lockdown which was extended further.

A similar outbreak is expected to happen if we don't take precautions. This new pandemic virus is named as M-Pox or monkeypox. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is a zoonotic viral disease. Though known since 1958, it gained renewed attention in 2022 when cases emerged outside of Africa, where it is traditionally endemic.



Monkeypox virus has emerged from a species called Orthopoxvirus. It has two clades: Clade I and Clade II 

I demonstrated its various types in a flowchart. Have a quick look at it.


Overview of the treat:

M-pox is still a threat to human health nowadays. It started outbreaking from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

As you can see in the flowchart above, there are clades of M-pox. According to WHO's official website, an outbreak caused by clade II b in 2022, infecting in 2024. Ia and Ib outbreaks were detected, which are more deadly than other variants. These outbreaks started in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and now spreading outside of it.  


Transmission of M-Pox:

M-pox can be transmitted to a person by touching an M-pox-infected person. If someone has close contact with an infected person including touching, kissing, having intimacy, talking, or breathing, he/she can infect with the same too.
People can get affected by touching several surfaces like clothes, public property (like touching seats, windows, or any other space common to the public), needle injuries, and while getting a tattoo.
Animal-to-human transmission of the disease is also possible. Hence, stay away from stray animals. 
It is common in Monkeys, yet squirrels are also suspectable.

Symptoms:

You'll not get instant signals of  M-Pox infections. Firstly it will enter the body and start mutating and multiplying itself. 
Some common symptoms are: 
  • rash 
  • fever 
  • sore throat 
  • headache 
  • muscle aches 
  • back pain 
  • low energy 
  • swollen lymph nodes.
Symptoms of M-Pox lasts 2-4 weeks. Some people can observe rashes as the first symptom or some can observe fever. Yet it is painful when it gets severe and forms blisters filled with liquid. Patients can even experience pain while peeing and swallowing. 


Infected people can pass the disease to others until they shed their older skin with blisters and get new skin. 


Is M-pox deadly?

M-pox is a potentially deadly infection. Currently, M-Pox has a lower mortality rate than COVID-19, but it can still cause serious illness and death, particularly in vulnerable populations.


Do's and Don't 

What You Can Do to prevent getting infected are listed below:
  • Contact with your doctor for more information to be safe.
  • Avoid touching items that are often touched by everyone. First, sanitize the item.
  • use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth.
  • take warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body sores.
  • Stay away from street dogs and animals.

What you shouldn't do are listed below:

  • pop blisters or scratch sores, which can slow healing, spread the rash to other parts of the body, and cause sores to become infected; or 
  • shave areas with sores until scabs have healed and you have new skin underneath (this can spread the rash to other parts of the body). 

Note: Some things are directly copied from sites, I'll list all the links below.

Links Important for all readers:




I've provided these links for better information. Please follow guidelines issued by WHO and Stay Healthy, Stay Safe.





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