Monkeypox is a disease caused by animals to people. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 with a vaccine but continues to appear sporadically in some African countries. There are currently more than 4,000 confirmed cases across the United States.
How is it transmitted?
It usually occurs when humans come into contact with animals or meat that has been contaminated. People can spread smallpox to another through direct skin contact with infected body fluids or through clothing, sheets, or towels. At the moment, most of the people who have been infected have been through unprotected sexual intercourse.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, although milder . It usually causes a fever, severe headache, muscle pain, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, cough, and a rash that changes over time.
How is it cured?
Symptoms usually last two to four weeks and go away on their own without treatment. There are some antivirals that help with the symptoms of this disease but there is no specific treatment. It is important to take care of the rashes and not to touch any sores . Although there is currently no vaccine to combat its transmission, the smallpox vaccine is 85% effective.
