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Monkeypox 411
Vidcast: https://youtu.be/VQj4zPuGqdY
We’ve talked about a twindemic this spring of both CoVid and Influenza, but now we have monkeypox threatening to make it a tridemic. So what should you know about monkeypox?
Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus, a cousin of the smallpox virus, that was first identified in 1958 in a colony of African monkeys. The first human case was noted in 1970, again in Africa, and the majority of infections occur in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus is mostly carried by rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels.
Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the US, and all cases here stem from International travelers bringing in the virus. As of June 1st, monkeypox cases have been identified in 10 states and in more than 23 countries.
Monkeypox begins with typical symptoms of viral infections including fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue after a 5 to 21 day incubation period. One to three days after symptom onset, a rash appears followed by discrete lesions that become bumpy, liquid-filled, and pus-filled, that break giving way to scabs after a total of 2 to 4 weeks.
The disease is spread by infected secretions during close and intimate contact including sex but may also be spread through respiratory secretions. Spread is prevented by avoiding contact with sick animals and people, careful hand washing and use of alcohol hand sanitizers, and masking as well as use of eye protection around those who are infected. The very young, elders, pregnant women, and those with immune deficiencies are at particular risk.
Those previously immunized against smallpox should have some protection, but it likely has waned over time. Most at risk currently are younger persons who never received the smallpox vaccine. At this time, vaccination is not being recommended but that may change if the disease is spreading. If it is, problems will arise as available vaccines to monkeypox, JYNNEOS and the older ACAM200, are in short supply.
There are several anti-viral medications, tecovirimat and brincidofovir, that counteract monkeypox, but their effectiveness in treating human monkeypox has not been proven. Vaccinia immune globulin is available and may provide effective treatment for those infected. To prevent spread, any infected person should quarantine for 21 days.
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/treatment.html
#Monkeypox #smallpox #vaccinia #tecovirimat #brincidofovir
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By Howard G. Smith MD, AMVidcast: https://youtu.be/VQj4zPuGqdY
We’ve talked about a twindemic this spring of both CoVid and Influenza, but now we have monkeypox threatening to make it a tridemic. So what should you know about monkeypox?
Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus, a cousin of the smallpox virus, that was first identified in 1958 in a colony of African monkeys. The first human case was noted in 1970, again in Africa, and the majority of infections occur in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus is mostly carried by rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels.
Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the US, and all cases here stem from International travelers bringing in the virus. As of June 1st, monkeypox cases have been identified in 10 states and in more than 23 countries.
Monkeypox begins with typical symptoms of viral infections including fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue after a 5 to 21 day incubation period. One to three days after symptom onset, a rash appears followed by discrete lesions that become bumpy, liquid-filled, and pus-filled, that break giving way to scabs after a total of 2 to 4 weeks.
The disease is spread by infected secretions during close and intimate contact including sex but may also be spread through respiratory secretions. Spread is prevented by avoiding contact with sick animals and people, careful hand washing and use of alcohol hand sanitizers, and masking as well as use of eye protection around those who are infected. The very young, elders, pregnant women, and those with immune deficiencies are at particular risk.
Those previously immunized against smallpox should have some protection, but it likely has waned over time. Most at risk currently are younger persons who never received the smallpox vaccine. At this time, vaccination is not being recommended but that may change if the disease is spreading. If it is, problems will arise as available vaccines to monkeypox, JYNNEOS and the older ACAM200, are in short supply.
There are several anti-viral medications, tecovirimat and brincidofovir, that counteract monkeypox, but their effectiveness in treating human monkeypox has not been proven. Vaccinia immune globulin is available and may provide effective treatment for those infected. To prevent spread, any infected person should quarantine for 21 days.
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/treatment.html
#Monkeypox #smallpox #vaccinia #tecovirimat #brincidofovir