General Health

What You Need to Know About Monkeypox

Here’s what you need to know about monkeypox—from its symptoms to its transmission.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco, MD, Edilberto B. Garcia, Jr., MD, and Maria Christina H. Ventura, MD

Monkeypox is an uncommon disease, but it has recently been getting attention after an outbreak in various countries it is not endemic to. As of July 29, 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) logged the first case of monkeypox in the Philippines. DOH claims it is prepared to detect the virus and is exploring the opportunity of acquiring smallpox vaccines which also help protect against monkeypox. Here is what you need to know about monkeypox—from its symptoms to its transmission.

What is monkeypox?

According to CDC, monkeypox is a rare infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was first detected in 1958 among monkeys in a laboratory, hence the name. The first recorded case of the virus in humans was in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970. After this period, monkeypox has been consistently detected in Central and Western African countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, among others.

What are its signs and symptoms?

The symptoms of monkeypox are comparable to a milder version of smallpox symptoms, which include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, and chills. One to three days after the onset of fever, rashes may start to spread throughout the patient’s body. Monkeypox usually lasts for two to four weeks, but some cases can be more severe in certain members of the population, such as pregnant women, children, and the immunocompromised.

How is monkeypox transmitted?

Monkeypox can be contracted through animal-to-human or human-to-human contact. Wild animals, including monkeys and rodents, may carry the virus and transmit it to others. Animal-to-human transmission entails unprotected contact with their blood, bodily fluids, or even their skin or fur. Consuming meat from an infected animal that was not cooked properly may also result to infection. Among humans, it is usually transmitted through close contact with an infected patient, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.

How is monkeypox treated or prevented?

In 2018, a drug called Tecovirimat was approved by the US FDA as treatment for smallpox and monkeypox, but it is not widely accessible. The vaccine that eradicated smallpox has been proven effective against monkeypox as well. This, however, has already been phased out after smallpox was completely eliminated in 1980. At a minimum, WHO advises that the general precautions against COVID-19 should also be effective against monkeypox virus transmission, particularly frequent handwashing and social distancing. If you suspect that you or someone you know has been infected, isolate immediately and avoid gatherings where close contact with others may happen. It is also recommended to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis or treatment.

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