Monkeypox Awareness: Key Facts and Prevention Tips.
Monkeypox (now also referred to as mpox) is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family as smallpox. While typically less severe than smallpox, it can cause painful rashes, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.
How Does Monkeypox Spread?
– Close physical contact with infected individuals (skin-to-skin, hugging, kissing, sexual contact).
– Contact with contaminated materials (clothing, bedding, towels).
– Respiratory droplets (prolonged face-to-face contact).
– Animal-to-human transmission (bites, scratches, or handling infected animals).
Symptoms to Watch For:
– Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Rash (starts as red spots, turns into pus-filled blisters, then scabs)
– Symptoms usually appear 5–21 days after exposure
Prevention Measures:
Avoid close contact with infected people or animals.