What is monkey pox?

The pandemic caused by COVID is not yet over, however, in recent months a new disease has recurrently sounded that is spreading rapidly and can cause another hard blow to humanity, we are talking about Monkeypox, but what is it monkeypox? Is it really as dangerous as it is said?
This disease is caused by a virus called as such, the monkeypox virus, it is so called because this virus was detected in several apes in 1958. It is a viral zoonotic disease, this means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans, but it also spreads from person to person.
Monkeypox can be commonly found in the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, since animals that can carry the virus live there and it is endemic. However, there are times when the virus can be found in people who live outside the African zone, as they could have been infected after visiting the continent.
And how can we know that we are infected with monkeypox? The symptoms are usually fever, intense headache, back and muscle pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes. Skin rashes usually start between the first and third day after the fever starts, the rashes may be slightly raised or flat, filled with a yellowish or clear fluid, then they will crust over, dry up and fall off. The rashes tend to be found on the palms of the hands, face, and soles of the feet; they could also be found in the mouth, genitals, and eyes.
Symptoms usually last about two to four weeks, then go away on their own without the need for treatment. However, if you believe your symptoms are due to monkeypox, contact a health professional immediately, or if you suspect that you have had contact with someone close to you who has these symptoms, contact your doctor quickly.
As we already mentioned, in most cases, the symptoms of this disease disappear in a few weeks without the need for treatment, however, in some people it can cause medical complications and even the death of the individual. People most at risk of complications or even death from monkeypox are newborns, children, and people with immunodeficiencies. Complications in severe cases include skin infections, confusion, pneumonia, and eye infections that could lead to vision loss. The cases in which monkeypox has ended in death are between 3% and 6% of all cases identified as monkeypox, many of these cases are children or people who had other health conditions, it is necessary to have Note that these figures could be an overestimate, as accounting for cases in endemic countries is limited.
This condition spreads when you come into physical contact with an infected animal, the animals that host the virus can be primates or rodents. The risk of contracting the disease is reduced by avoiding contact with wild animals, especially if they are sick or dead, and we must remember that any food that contains meat or any part of an animal must be cooked, especially in places where monkeypox is endemic. .
Those people who have the disease are contagious while they have the symptoms, the contagion can be carried out through physical contact; rashes, body fluids and scabs are especially infectious, even objects that were in contact with infected people (clothes, towels, etc.) can be a means of contagion. Basically the risk of infection is extremely high if we live with infected people, the virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to the fetus through the placenta. As already mentioned, the virus is transmitted by physical contact, including sexual contact, however, it is not yet known if it can be spread through sexual transmission routes such as semen or vaginal fluids.
So, is monkeypox dangerous? Although it is true, no disease can be taken lightly, but monkeypox is not considered a deadly disease and it is not a highly contagious disease either, as it requires physical contact. with someone who is contagious. The risk to the public is low, however, the WHO is giving this outbreak a high priority in order to prevent further spread, which is why the Qm Pharma family recommends that you do not worry about this disease, but at the same time be aware of any symptoms to be able to take the necessary safety measures, and if you notice any symptoms, go to the doctor as soon as possible.