This article will elaborate on Mpox, its casual agent, symptoms, treatment and recent cases in India.
Know Mpox or Money pox disease?
Monkey Pox in short is called Mpox and is a rare viral disease that is found mostly in African countries. But the disease has reached to other parts of the countries due to the more frequent international travel. The disease is caused by the virus from the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two known kinds of virus arising from Central Africa and West Africa. Most involved people come in the age group under 15 years in Africa and mainly men outside Africa. The infection has flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, rashes, headache etc. There is no comprehended medicine for the mpox disease and it goes away on its own.
Know the causes of Mpox disease?
Mpox or Money Pox is caused by coming in connection with an animal carrying the infection already. The disease can spread via bite, scratch, fluid contact etc. with the infected animal. Mpox can also be communicated from person to person through various means like oral fluids, soars, respirator droplets, intimate scenes, scrapes, sex etc.
There are flu-like symptoms associated with the Mpox disease, some of the signs related to Mpox include:
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- High fever.
- Muscle aches.
- Rashes.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox disease diagnosis or tests?
Mpox or Monkey Pox is a rare condition that has the same first signs as chickenpox or a measles-like rash. The swollen lymph nodes in the patients make Mpox different from chicken pox or measles.
To diagnose or test the disease, a sample is taken from the open sore of the diseased patient and sent to a laboratory for the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for confirmation. Patients blood is also used for the confirmation of the disease.
Know the Treatment and Management of the Mpox disease?
Monkeypox or Mpox disease does not have any treatment available currently. Patients are administered antiviral drugs like cidofovir or tecovirimat to treat the viral infection of Mpox. These drugs are also used for the treatment of smallpox. Mpox mostly gets better with time without treatment because it is a self-limited disease. The symptoms may last for 2 to 4 weeks and the healthcare provider will keep the patient on medication and suggest antibiotics for expected secondary bacterial infections.
Know the preventions of Mpox or Monkey Pox disease?
The Mpox viral disease does not have any known medication or treatment. So, it is advised to prevent the disease and these preventive measures include:
- Avoid contact with people who have the Mpox disease.
- Avoid the area that has been affected by Mpox disease.
- Avoid sex with people who have travelled from the area having Mpox disease.
- Vaccination of smallpox virus is also effective for Mpox treatment.
- Avoid contact with animals having suspected Mpox disease.
Conclusion
MPox or Money pox is a rare disease in Africa and has started to spread to other parts of the world. Mpox is caused by the virus and there has not been any treatment for the disease yet. The symptoms of this disease are common viral disease symptoms like fever, headache, chills, soars etc. Prevention can help to limit the spread of disease because non-availability of the treatment of the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is Mpox or Money pox disease?
Mpox disease is caused by a virus similar to the family of viruses that causes smallpox. It is caused by a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There is no treatment for the disease yet. It is more prevalent in African countries and spreads to other countries also.
Which organism causes the Mpox disease?
Mpox is caused by a virus that belongs to a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
What are the symptoms of Mpox disease disease?
The symptoms of Mpox include headache, fatigue, rashes, swollen lymph nodes etc.
What are the diagnostic tests for Mpox disease?
The diagnostic tests for Mpox diseases include PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and patient blood samples are also taken for disease diagnosis.
What are the preventions from Mpox disease?
The preventive measures include avoiding the areas infected by the Mpox virus, avoiding contact with animals, persons who had sex with a person having Mpox etc.
What is the treatment of Mpox disease?
There is no treatment yet for the Mpox disease, but patients are given antiviral drugs like cidofovir or tecovirimat for treatment.
Are there any Mpox cases in India?
No Mpox cases have been reported from India yet.
