Tampa, Florida. “Monkeypox belongs to a family of viruses that are also smallpox,” said Dr. David Berger, a certified pediatrician.
It is known as a less severe relative of smallpox, commonly found near rainforests in Central and West Africa. However, it is now spreading around the world and officials want people to know about the symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 250 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 16 countries.
In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three confirmed cases and at least five suspected cases, two of which are in Florida in Broward County.
“We’ll hear more about them,” Berger said.
Experts predict that spread is inevitable, but the good news is that spread is not easy. Smallpox in monkeys requires prolonged close contact.
“It’s not in aerosols, so it’s not that you enter a room and you’re exposed. These are breathing drops, so someone has to be much closer to you and sort of be very much in your face, things like that, ”Berger said.
The first symptoms that occur in humans are flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, exhaustion, muscle weakness, and swollen lymph nodes.
Next is a common rash on the face and body, including inside the mouth as well as on the hands and soles of the feet.
Smallpox is fluid and painful, often surrounded by red circles.
“You’re contagious before the smallpox came out,” Berger said.
Doctors say people can be contagious for about one to two weeks before noticing smallpox.
If anyone notices any symptoms, see a doctor. Although there is no specific treatment, they can help cope with the symptoms.
“If smallpox still appears, make sure they don’t comb them like chickenpox and don’t introduce a secondary bacterial infection into the area of the open ulcer and don’t turn to MRSA,” Berger said.
According to the CDC, smallpox is covered in scabs and resorbed within two to three weeks.
It is expected that most people who get monkeypox will be cured, but there are some who may get more severe disease.
“As with most things: risk factors, people with weakened immune systems, people who have other walks of life, diabetes when their immune system also can’t fight it,” Berger said.
