Prevention is always better than cure. There are several ways to prevent monkeypox. Among them, getting a vaccination for smallpox can help prevent the disease. Also, avoid contact with infected animals, surfaces, and people. Read on to learn more.
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger
Smallpox vaccination prevents monkeypox
The monkeypox outbreak has prompted a debate over whether the smallpox vaccination protects against the disease. Whether smallpox vaccination prevents monkeypox is pertinent, but most people with a healthy immune system are unlikely to suffer severe illness. Infants younger than six months are not currently affected by the monkeypox outbreak, but older adults are most at risk of catching the virus. However, older people who smallpox vaccinations have protected for decades are still at least somewhat immune. The vaccinated older adults may even escape with mild symptoms.
Avoiding contact with infected people
Among the best ways to prevent monkeypox is avoiding contact with infected people. Infected people should isolate themselves and avoid physical contact with others until the rash falls off. Moreover, they should use condoms and wash their hands regularly after touching infected people or animals. People who have recently had sexual intercourse with an infected person should avoid contact with them and their family members for at least 21 days. The disease may also infect young children and pregnant women.
Avoiding contact with infected animals
Prevention involves avoiding contact with animals and contaminated objects. Healthcare workers, such as monkey handlers, should wear personal protective equipment and practice good hand hygiene after coming into contact with an infected person. Infected individuals should be isolated from those at risk of contracting monkeypox. Prevention methods also include taking smallpox vaccines, which are 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.
Avoiding contact with infected surfaces
The primary method of preventing the spread of monkeypox is avoiding direct contact with infected surfaces. The disease can affect all mammals, including humans, but does not affect reptiles, birds, or fish. If you suspect you've become infected, you should take your animal to a veterinarian or state animal health official. Avoid touching the animal's infected skin, and wash your hands thoroughly after touching it.
Avoiding contact with infectious sores
The best way to avoid the spread of monkeypox is to avoid physical contact with the infected person. Infected individuals should avoid skin-to-skin contact and stay isolated until the rash has healed. Close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals should be avoided for 21 days after the last exposure. In addition to preventing contact with infected individuals, medical providers should also use personal protective equipment and practice good hand hygiene.
Avoiding contact with infected body fluids
The primary preventative measure against monkeypox is to avoid close physical contact with an infected person. You should wash your hands with soap and water and avoid touching animals and people exposed to monkeypox. You should also wear protective gear, such as gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask to prevent skin contact with infected people.
FAQs
Is There a Monkeypox Vaccine?
While there is no monkeypox vaccine, many countries are stockpiling smallpox vaccines. Second-generation vaccines can cause side effects and are not recommended for pregnant women, children, or people with eczema. Third-generation vaccines have lower side effects but are not available in many countries. It may take decades to develop a vaccine against monkeypox, but vaccination against smallpox can prevent its spread.
Can monkeypox kill you?
As of June 28, 2022, there are approximately 3413 confirmed cases of monkeypox and one death worldwide. As monitoring efforts increase, this number is expected to grow. Since the first case was detected in the UK on May 7, the disease has now been reported in 50 countries/territories. Although the fatality rate is low, it is highly contagious.
How can you get monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a common viral illness that causes a rash about one to three days after the outbreak begins. Typically, the outbreak starts on the face and progresses to other areas of the body. It typically manifests as red and itchy lesions that swell and itch. The lesions often spread to other body parts, including the hands and feet. The rash will disappear on its own within two to four weeks, but if not treated correctly, the infection could be deadly.
Who discovered monkeypox?
In 1958, a Danish laboratory isolated the virus from monkeys and apes living in Africa. Since that time, the only monkeys that have been isolated from the virus are monkeys and humans. Other animals are known to carry monkeypox, including shrews and rats. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets and skin contact, but it is less common than smallpox. The virus can also be transmitted through birth.
Can monkeypox cause a pandemic?
It is possible that monkeypox could trigger a pandemic. The virus causes flu-like symptoms but is not the same as Covid. It is spread through the lesions, bodily fluids, and materials that come in contact with an infected person. Many people aren't even aware that they've been exposed to an infected person.
