Monkeypox On The Rise In Texas, Here is What You Need To Know
Monkeypox cases are increasing in Texas so here is what you need to know about them.
According to the Texas Tribune, health officials in Texas are expecting monkeypox infections to increase. Still, unlike COVID-19, it is not likely to be a pandemic since the virus is not spread airborne.
The virus is also not deadly; most cases do not have to be hospitalized, which is good news after the past 2 years of dealing with COVID.
Here are a few things you need to know about Monkeypox:
The Origin
The virus has been in parts of Africa for decades but only recently has spread outside of the continent. Some people in the U.S. caught monkeypox from infected prairie dogs imported from Ghana through a Texas company.
Symptoms
While not severe, monkeypox causes painful, pus-filled blisters along with fever and swollen lymph nodes in the early stages. It can last just a few days or even up to a month. It is commonly mistaken for chickenpox, herpes, or syphilis due to the nature and location of the sores.
How it Spreads
The virus is not airborne so it cannot be transmitted by casual contact, sneezing, or coughing on someone and can only be spread by physical contact during sex or coming in direct contact with the lesions. The main infections have been showing up in gay and bisexual men and those persons are asked to take extra precautions if they are sexually active with other men.
Treatment
Right now, treatment is just basically managing pain and treating symptoms till the lesions heal and the patient is no longer contagious.
Vaccine
Luckily, there is a vaccine, but availability is limited because the virus has spread outside of Africa so quickly. As with the COVID-19 shot, the most vulnerable and immunocompromised people should be the first to get the vaccine. Also, people who are currently experiencing symptoms can get it after being infected. Texas Department of State Health Services says that 20,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to be coming to Texas in the next couple of weeks.
So there are the things you need to know about Monkeypox.
KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system