Monkeypox – All You Need to Know

The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox is generally not fatal and typically resolves on its own without treatment.

While India is already fatigued with grappling with 2 major public health emergencies – Air Pollution and Covid-19 – a few days ago, the WHO has declared Monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.

 It begs the question, What is Monkeypox and what are the do’s and don’ts to steer clear of this new emerging threat.

The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox (a virus that has been eradicated globally). Both monkeypox and smallpox fall into the category of “orthopoxviruses.” Monkeypox is generally not fatal and typically resolves on its own without treatment.

Symptoms of Monkeypox can include:

• Fever, Headache, Muscle aches and backache, Swollen lymph nodes, Chills, Exhaustion, Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough), A rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

Monkeypox Spreadsin a few ways.

• Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
  • Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
  • Contact with respiratory secretions.

So, How Does One Protect Themselves?

By avoiding physical contact with people, objects, and materials to avoid transfer through contact and by wearing a N95 mask once indoor or in a crowded public place to prevent transmission through respiratory droplets.

 It is quite clear that we’ve upset nature's balance or equilibrium of sorts.  It is imperative that we exercise utmost caution in public or crowded spaces when it comes to physical proximity, hand hygiene and respiratory protection for viruses, bacteria and other pollutants(PM2.5), through the use of a N95 mask.

 Nirvana Being is the leading provider of high efficacy N95 masks with nanofiber filters to create a credible barrier down to 0.1 microns or 100 nanometers, tested by Nelsons Lab(USA).

 Be safe everyone!