Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox. While monkeypox is far less severe than smallpox, it can still lead to serious complications if not treated properly. Understanding the available treatment options is important for both medical professionals and the general public.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The first step in treating monkeypox involves proper diagnosis. The virus has an incubation period that usually ranges from 5 to 21 days. Common early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days of fever onset, a rash develops, usually starting on the face then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab which later falls off. Doctors can diagnose monkeypox by visually examining the rash and taking a sample of fluid from the rash to test for the virus. Other tests like blood tests and PCR tests may also be done for confirmation.
Self-Care and Isolation
For most cases of Monkeypox, self-care at home is usually sufficient. It is important for infected individuals to isolate themselves until all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Activities that should be avoided include sex, kissing, hugging, mass gatherings and sharing bedding or towels. Taking paracetamol can help relieve fever and pain. Applying calamine lotion to rash can help reduce itching. It is also important to stay hydrated, take rest and avoid scratching the rash to prevent bacterial superinfection. Close contacts of infected individuals should monitor for symptoms but generally do not require treatment if asymptomatic.
Antiviral Medications
For more severe cases of monkeypox, antiviral medications may be prescribed. Tecovirimat (Tpoxx) is an antiviral drug approved for treatment of smallpox that can also be used for monkeypox. It works by inhibiting viral replication. Clinical trials have shown tecovirimat to be generally well tolerated and effective at treating monkeypox infection. Common side effects may include headache and rash. It is administered twice daily for 2 weeks as an oral capsule or intravenous regimen. Cidofovir is another antiviral that can potentially be used but requires intravenous administration and is more likely to cause kidney damage as a side effect.
Vaccination
Vaccination against smallpox before the disease was eradicated still provides some cross-protection against monkeypox infection. The smallpox vaccine, known as ACAM2000, is also licensed by the FDA for prevention of monkeypox disease. It can be considered for people who have had contact with a monkeypox patient. The vaccine is usually given within 4 days of initial contact but may offer some benefit if given up to 14 days after exposure. Some side effects include fever, headache and sore arm at injection site. More severe events like myocarditis are rare. Newer third generation vaccines like JYNNEOS are now also approved and are safer, better tolerated options. Post exposure vaccination can help prevent or lessen severity of disease if given soon after exposure.
Other Treatment Considerations
For infected individuals with especially severe disease like encephalitis or involvement of internal organs, additional treatment beyond antivirals and supportive care may be required. This could involve wound or skin care if lesions become infected with bacteria. Antibiotics may be given if a secondary bacterial infection is diagnosed. Infections within the eyes also require specialized ophthalmological care and treatment. For some individuals, hospitalization for intensive monitoring and IV administration of antivirals may become necessary. Managing complications is also important. For instance, intravenous acyclovir could potentially be used to treat cases of disseminated monkeypox that involve the central nervous system.
Prevention is Key
While treatment options for monkeypox do exist, prevention remains the most important strategy to curb further spread. This involves raising awareness, contact tracing of known cases, isolation protocols, judicious use of vaccines and maintaining basic hygiene practices. With collective global efforts, we hope to contain this outbreak and limit monkeypox from establishing itself as an endemic disease in new regions. Ongoing research into newer antiviral drugs, immune modulators and vaccines is also crucial for dealing with future flare ups effectively. By understanding available medical countermeasures, we can optimize individual and public health outcomes.