Monkeypox is a rare disease associated with infection from the monkeypox virus. The virus belongs to the Poxviridae virus genus. It falls under the same category as the cowpox virus and variola virus that causes smallpox.
Ways Monkeypox is Transmitted
Monkeypox virus transmits through close contact with a person, animal, or material contaminated with the virus. The smallpox virus can also cross from a mother to her fetus through the placenta. It could also spread to humans from animals by handling wild animals, using products made from infected animals, or a scratch or bite of an infected animal. It may also spread through direct contact with sores or body fluids of an infected person or animal. It could also spread when someone touches clothing or linen that came into contact with sores and body fluids.
But primarily, monkeypox spreads between humans through direct contact with body fluids, scabs, and infectious sores. It can also transmit from one person to another during intimate contact, such as sex, touching body parts, cuddling, and kissing. Prolonged face-to-face contact could also cause the spread of the virus through respiratory secretions. As for now, it isn’t sure if the virus can be transmitted through vaginal fluid or semen. Researchers have yet to discover animals that naturally maintain the virus, but African rodents are the prime suspects of spreading the monkeypox virus to humans.
Who are at High Risk of Monkeypox?
The world already seems weary of fighting the Covid pandemic porno français. But with the recent outbreak of the monkeypox virus, we all want to know whether we are at risk. Studies have shown that most adults and children with healthy immune systems are likely to weather the storm. But two demographic groups are at high risk.
One comprises the older adults. While this group is most likely to succumb to this virus, most people under this age group are somewhat protected by their smallpox vaccination. The other group is infants younger than six months. Fortunately, studies have shown that the current outbreak is yet to affect the younger generation. The older adults already vaccinated for smallpox are likely to escape the monkeypox outbreak with only mild symptoms. But the bottom line is that even the older adults vaccinated for smallpox decades ago are still at a high risk of monkeypox infection.
Exposure to monkeypox isn’t limited to a particular demographic. Therefore, everyone should be responsible for their health and the community’s well-being, which should start with building awareness. So far, no death related to monkeypox has been reported. But researchers and medical experts caution against contact with high-risk groups such as older adults and children. The duration in which immunity from smallpox vaccination should last is unknown. So, the only way you can protect yourself from this outbreak is to get vaccinated as soon as now.
The common forms of transmission of monkeypox include contaminated objects and surfaces and direct contact with an animal or person with a confirmed case of monkeypox. While everyone is at risk of this contagious disease, infants under six months and older adults are more vulnerable.
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