Earlier, we discussed what monkeypox looks like, how it can be treated, and the regions with the most reported cases. We said that monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It causes symptoms like fever and rashes that can take weeks to clear out. Monkey pox rashes are different from any other kind of rash, they are bigger and appear in places like the inside of your mouth, hands, feet, genitals, and anus.
Children are at a higher risk of symptoms and death from monkeypox. The World Health Organization has declared a health emergency after it recorded the highest case of monkey pox in areas where it has never been. Monkeypox used to be common in areas like Africa, but recent cases have been from areas like America, Europe, and the Middle East as well.
The symptoms of monkeypox in children might not be so obvious if the child has an underlying condition, but in the absence of another illness, they might be. The most common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. This is followed or accompanied by the development of a rash, which can last for two to three weeks. The rash can be found on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, throat, groin, and genital and/or anal regions of the body. The number of lesions can range from one to several thousand. Lesions begin flat, then fill with liquid before they crust over, dry up, and fall off, with a fresh layer of skin forming underneath.
Symptoms last within two to three weeks and can go away on their own with the proper medical and supportive care. The cause of monkeypox is still unknown, but coming in contact with an infected person’s fluid will definitely get you infected as well. Healthcare providers are ensured to wear the right protective gear while carrying out treatments on patients with the condition.
If your child has shown symptoms like fever, fatigue, headache, aches, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, you should definitely consult a medical professional. Reports have shown that seventy-five people (14%) reported proctitis, or rectal inflammation. Other common symptoms included fever (62%), swollen lymph nodes (56%), fatigue (41%), muscle aches (31%), headache (27%) and sore throat (21%). Fever is a major symptom but could also be caused by other underlying diseases and conditions.
Rashes on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth are other symptoms that show the virus has gotten to deeper stages. These rashes start as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off. The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have either of these symptoms, you can pass monkeypox on to other people. Getting diagnosed after showing symptoms is a big step in ensuring that people around you don’t get infected with it as well. The medical professionals will prescribe the right medications and supportive care. After weeks of medication, you’ll have to be cleared out before you go on to partake in every other activity like everyone else.
READ ABOUT MONKEYPOX AT World Health Organization (WHO) WEBSITE.