Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is an infectious disease that can be spread between people and between people and animals. It’s caused by the monkeypox virus, which was discovered in Denmark in 1858 among monkeys that were kept for research.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the patient in the Philippines' newest case of mpox was male and had no prior travel history. This indicates that the patient was infected through community transmission, being in close contact with someone who showed the symptoms.
Read: Philippines detects its first case of mpox for 2024
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| Mpox is an infectious disease that can be transmitted through close and intimate contact and through objects and surfaces. Photo courtesy: Canva Pro |
What are the symptoms of mpox:
Based on the DOH's reporting of the first case of Mpox, the symptoms were lesions around the mouth and a fever. After 4 days, the distinct characterization of mpox appeared—the rash around the face. The rash spread all over the body, from the upper extremities down to the abdomen and up to the soles of the feet. A RT-PCR test was used to identify that the patient was positive for the monkeypox virus.
DOH explains that the common symptoms of mpox are:
- Rash
- Lesions in and outside the mouth or lining mucosa
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Low energy
- Swollen lymph nodes
Symptoms typically appear 1-21 days after exposure. Mpox symptoms may differ from person to person, but it’s often characterized as a rash that lasts for more than 2-4 weeks. Then, it is followed by other symptoms such as fever, pain, etc.
How do you get infected:
The DOH warns that the means of transmission is through close or intimate contact. Anyone with the virus can pass it on through
- Direct skin-to-skin contact
- Contact with saliva, and other bodily secretions
- Face-to-face interactions
The health agency also reiterated that Mpox can be passed on through infected materials or objects. This means that touching or using utensils, clothes, surfaces, or objects that have been used by an infected individual can also pass the virus. However, the use of soap and water “will kill” the virus, so proper hygiene and handwashing are strongly advised.
The health agency also compared Mpox to chickenpox, noting that once the lesions dry up, they become less infectious. However, if the lesions still contain pus or fluid inside, they can still transmit the virus.
What to do if you think you are infected:
The DOH advised that if you have a new or unexplained rash or have other mpox symptoms, especially after potential exposure, act immediately. Seek immediate medical assistance and get tested for Mpox. It usually takes 4 days to get the results of the RT-PCR.
Is Mpox the same as COVID-19?
According to DOH’s expert dermatologist, Mpox is quite different from COVID-19 in many ways. In COVID, patients are often taken to the emergency room for difficulty breathing. On the other hand, since Mpox symptoms are usually skin-related, dermatolgists are often the doctors who get to catch these diseases, usually in clinics or hospitals.
Unlike COVID-19, the DOH said that medication and isolation may be done at home, and quarantine in a facility is not necessarily needed. A hospital can be used for isolation if home isolation is not possible. Mpox is also not airborne, so it needs close and intimate contact to get infected, or via droplet transmission.
How to get treated:
Since it is self-limiting, MPox usually goes away on its own after 2-4 weeks. But anti-viral medications can be taken, as well as medications for fever and other symptoms. However, for immunocompromised people, the symptoms may last longer and, at times, can be fatal if not given proper care.
Protect yourself:
DOH urges parents to vaccinate their children through the National Immunization Program to help protect our youth from diseases.
“We can avoid mpox. Mpox is transmitted through close, intimate contact, and also the materials used by people who have mpox. Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers will help,” DOH chief Ted Herbosa said.
— Sally, The Summit Express
