During spring 2022 monkeypox infections have been found in Europe. The first case of monkeypox has also been found in Finland this week. Most of the infections found this year are related to sexual contact and sex between men. Most cases in current outbreaks have presented with mild symptoms. According to professionals and based on current knowledge, it is not likely that the monkeypox virus would spread widely.
What kind of infection is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral pox disease that has been present in Africa for decades. Typically, people are infected after being in contact with wildlife animals. There have been isolated cases in Europe in the past, particularly among travelers who have returned from West Africa.
During this spring, infections have been detected in Europe as human-to-human transmission with no link to traveling in West Africa or contact with wildlife. Infections have been linked to sexual contacts, especially sex between men and in people with multiple sexual partners.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
A typical symptom of monkeypox is a blistering rash that can resemble chickenpox. The rash can first appear on the face, palms and soles of the feet and then spread to the rest of the body. In the cases identified in Europe, the blistering rash may only have occurred in the genital area. A common feeling of illness and fever can occur a few days prior to main symptoms.
Symptoms typically last 2-4 weeks. Usually, the disease heals on its own. Severe cases occur more commonly among children and those who are pregnant. Underlying immune deficiencies may lead to more severe forms of the disease.
A person living with HIV who is on effective HIV medication does not have a particular risk of developing a serious form of monkeypox disease. If an HIV positive person is not on medication and their immune system is weakened as result of HIV infection, they are at risk of a more severe form of the disease.
How does monkeypox transmit?
Monkeypox does not transmit from person to person easily. Transmission recuires a close contact. In several cases detected in Europe in spring 2022, the transmission is linked to sex between men. A high number of sexual partners seems to increase the risk of transmisson.
The infection can be transmitted through direct contact with the blisters and through droplets in face-to-face contact. Comdom protects against STIs but does not give enough protection against monkeypox. Transmission is also possible via bedding and bodily secretions. The typical time from getting infected to the symptoms (incubation period) is 6-13 days, but it can be up to 21 days.
How to prevent monkeypox?
Monkeypox is not easily transmitted from human to human. Good hand and cough hygiene reduces infections. Close contact with people should be avoided throughout the period of the symptoms. Monkeypox can also be transmitted from person to an animal, which means that also close contact with pets should be avoided while symptomatic.
If you know that you have been exposed to monkeypox, your condition should be monitored for 21 days after the exposure.
Is there a vaccine?
Monkeypox is an infection caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox. The smallpox virus was eradicated from the world by smallpox vaccinations. The smallpox vaccine is also likely to give protection against monkeypox. A new generation of smallpox vaccines could be considered to be used against monkeypox, but their availability is limited. EU countries are currently working with the European Commission on supplying them.
What to do if you think you have been infected?
Currently there is no specific treatment for monkeypox available. The disease is usually mild and heals on its own within a few weeks. Monkeypox is diagnosed by PCR test on a viral swab taken from a blister.
If you suspect that you have contracted monkeypox, you should contact health care. Before seeking healthcare, it is important to contact them in advance and let them know that you suspect a monkeypox infection so that health care personal can wear appropiate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Healthcare professionals provide instructions on how to treat symptoms, test and inform those who might have been exposed.
Counselling services at Hivpoint
Hivpoint’s helpline and chat counselling service offer information and counselling related to sexual health and sex between men. Check the opening hours from here >>
References
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Monkeypox multi-country outbreak
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