Monkeypox detected in UK: Symptoms, treatments and other important details

New Delhi : A person has been found infected with monkeypox virus in the United Kingdom, he had last traveled to Nigeria. There is no urgent need to worry about the infection as human to human transmission is very rare, said WHO. The symptoms in an infected person can show between 2-4 weeks.

SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that spreads from wild animals to humans. The infected person may experience fever, an extensive characteristic rash and usually swollen lymph nodes. However, it must be noted that it is important to distinguish monkeypox from other illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, syphilis and medication-associated allergies. 

According to WHO, the incubation period of monkeypox can range from 5 to 21 days. The febrile stage of illness usually lasts 1 to 3 days with symptoms including fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle ache), and an intense asthenia (lack of energy).

TREATMENT AND PRECAUTIONS OF MONKEYPOX

Most human monkeypox infections result from a primary animal-to-human transmission. Contact with sick or dead animals should be avoided, and all foods containing animal meat or parts need to be properly cooked before eating. 

Close contact with infected people or contaminated materials should be avoided. Gloves and other personal protective clothing and equipment should be worn while taking care of the sick, whether in a health facility or in the home. 

According to WHO, vaccination against smallpox with first generation vaccinia-virus based smallpox vaccine was shown to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox in the past.