Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease characterized by fever, general intoxication, and exanthema.
Etiology
The causative virus belongs to the family of poxviruses (smallpox viruses). The patient was first isolated from a monkey in 1958. It is similar in structure and properties to human smallpox virus. Studies have shown that the monkey virus is more similar to the chickenpox virus in terms of antigen communication. The chicken embryo grows and reproduces well in the shell.
Epidemiology
The source of infection is monkeys. The disease can be transmitted from person to person only from a sick person. Cases have been reported in Europe, North America, Africa and Australia. The disease is mainly detected in children under 16 years of age.
Clinic
The incubation period lasts from 7 to 19 days. The disease begins suddenly, sharply, with a rise in body temperature, pain in the head and muscles, as well as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Later, the dynamics of the disease will be similar to the symptoms of chickenpox. Mild to moderate form is more common. The main difference between smallpox and human smallpox is that lymphadenitis is observed in 90% of patients. On days 3-4 of the disease, rashes appear, first on the face, then on the hands, and a little later on the whole body.
Initially, the rash is 6-10 mm in diameter, and then a papule is formed at this point, which then turns into a vesicle (a blister that contains a colorless fluid inside). A crust is then formed and a scar remains at the end.
The patient's condition rapidly deteriorates, tachycardia occurs, respiration accelerates, blood pressure decreases, and then the patient's condition gradually improves. In the mild form of the disease, the general condition of the patient remains normal. The total duration of the disease is 2-3 weeks.
Treatment
Treatment of smallpox is based on the principles of treatment of smallpox.
Complications
encephalitis
Meningoencephalitis
Pneumonia
Sepsis
weather
It usually ends well, with mortality observed mainly in 10% of unvaccinated patients.
