What does Monkeypox Look Like? Is Monkeypox Deadly?
Many people have the question of what does monkeypox look like at first; if this is your question, we will discuss it more elaborately in the next paragraph.
Monkeypox is a highly infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a member of a group of viruses, including smallpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. The virus is spread through contact with respiratory secretions (such as saliva, mucus, or blood) or contact with the skin lesions of an infected person.
Symptoms typically develop 10 to 21 days after exposure and can include fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and rash. Central nervous system symptoms (e.g., seizures) may occur in severe cases. There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, which generally leads to a rapid decline in health.
The virus is easily spread among humans and kills approximately 30% of those who contract it. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently considers monkeypox a global emergency due to its high mortality rates and the potential for large-scale outbreaks. Therefore, it is essential for individuals travelling to areas where monkeypox is endemic to take appropriate precautions to avoid becoming ill.
What does Monkeypox Look Like
The monkeypox looks like smallpox (variola virus). Since the cause is a virus that is closely related to the smallpox virus. According to WHO experts, it generally spreads from the face to the limbs, hands, feet, and eventually to the rest of the body.
Monkeypox signs and symptoms might appear 5 to 21 days after infection. The majority of patients recover in two to four weeks.
The monkeypox disease usually begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscular pains, and tiredness, which can continue for up to 2 to 3 days following the fever; a rash appears, moving from red regions to tiny bumps on the skin. These can then develop into blisters that fill with white fluid.
According to the NHS, among people, transmission is spread by:
- Touching the clothing, bedding, or towels of someone who has the monkeypox rash
- Touching skin blisters or scabs
- Coughing or sneezing of a person with monkeypox virus
Is monkeypox Deadly?
Monkeypox is not deadly; monkeypox can be fatal in up to 10% of cases.
Monkeypox symptoms usually go away on their own after a few weeks, but they might cause medical issues and even death in some people.
Monkeypox can cause significant symptoms and even death in newborns, toddlers, and those with underlying immune weaknesses.
Monkeypox can be deadly, particularly in impoverished areas with poor healthcare
Pneumonia, disorientation and eye infections that might lead to blindness are all possible complications from severe instances of monkeypox.
Be sure to Read: What is Monkeypox Disease
References
- GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF MONKEYPOX DISEASE
- Multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries
- Emergence of Monkeypox as the Most Important Orthopoxvirus Infection in Humans