Due to the rapid spread of monkeypox worldwide, the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency.
Monkeypox cases continue to increase in the United States, including in the Upper Midwest, where2022世界杯巴西阵容is based.
You can protect yourself and others with normal precautions recommended to prevent other diseases, according toJennifer Hsu, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Sanford Health.
Signs to look for
Symptoms of monkeypoxinclude fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that turns into pus-filled blisters, or lesions.
Some people will have only a rash without the other symptoms.
“Monkeypox is generally spread through close contact — skin-to-skin contact primarily, particularly when folks who have monkeypox have the active rash,” Dr. Hsu said. “It can be spread in other ways through respiratory secretions. But again, it requires really close and prolonged contact.”
Who gets monkeypox?
Thevirus variantthat is circulating is from West Africa, and is milder than a Central African variant. Its infection fatality rate is estimated at 1% and even lower in the United States, where patients are more likely to have been healthy, young people.
Dr. Hsu said early reports of this monkeypox outbreak happened to be among men who have sex with men. But that simply means sexual transmission is a risk because it’s close contact.
“这与性取向无关，”她说。“所以我想要特别明确的是，我们并没有对任何一个有患病风险的特定人群进行污名化。它真的，再次，是非常亲密的，家庭，皮肤接触，亲密接触传播了这个。所以我想说，任何人都有风险。”
Treatments for monkeypox
Typical monkeypox treatment is for symptoms, Dr. Hsu said — controlling people’s fevers, treating dehydration with IV fluids, and other supportive measures.
“If patients have more severe disease, there are antiviral medicines that have been used, and we would evaluate the need for that specific treatment just on a case-by-case basis, depending on someone’s specific other health issues,” she said.
Preventing monkeypox
The smallpox vaccine gives some protection against monkeypox, according to the World Health Organization. However, smallpox was eliminated worldwide in 1980, and people younger than 40 or 50 (depending on the country they live in) would not have received the smallpox vaccine.
针对猴痘的新疫苗已经开发出来，但尚未广泛使用。
你可以通过避免与感染者密切接触来防止猴痘感染的传播。Take these prevention measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 避免与长有类似猴痘疹的人近距离皮肤接触。
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- 经常用肥皂和水洗手，或使用含酒精的洗手液。
- In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread monkeypox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.
If you are sick with monkeypox:
- Isolate at home.
- If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible.
“I think as we talk about with a lot of infections, whether we’re talking about influenza or COVID-19, the biggest thing is if you’re noticing symptoms is to see your physician or your health care provider to review,” said Dr. Hsu. “I wouldn’t say it’s anything to fear at this point, but I think it’s worth being vigilant. And as a community member, just being vigilant about our own health protects the people around us.”
The World Health Organization has more onmonkeypox.
Learn more
- Syphilis and other STDs are on the rise
- Sanford to offer COVID vaccine for kids ages 6 months and up
- Your 10 most Googled questions about the flu & flu shot
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