Monkeypox: Symptoms and Prevention

○ What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection from the Monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to people and can also be spread between people.

○ Symptoms

When infected with monkeypox, the degree of illness can be mild, moderate, or fatal.

The infection has an incubation period of 1-2 weeks and begins with an acute fever above 38℃(100.4°F), headaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. After 1-3 days, rashes may appear mainly on the face and spread centrifugally to other parts of the body, especially the arms and legs. Swollen lymph nodes are also one of the major symptoms, which typically last 2-4 weeks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of the infected patients recover naturally, and the death rate is 3-6%.

※ The rash progresses in sequential stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs.

○ Prevention

The infection is caused by coming into contact with a person or an animal (monkeys and rodents) infected with monkeypox or contaminated substances. To prevent being infected, follow the guidelines below:

· Avoid direct and indirect contact with an infected (or at-risk) person or animal.
· Avoid contact with items used by infected patients, such as bedding.
· If you contacted a person, an animal, or an object that may be infected, wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus if you travel to places with a monkeypox outbreak.

The best way to prevent contracting the disease is to refrain from coming into contact with animals, especially sick animals, in areas with a monkeypox outbreak.