Mic
Friday, 24 Oct 2025
Mid-Day GujaratiInquilabMid-Day Hindi
Mid-Day
Logo
Home

Home

Photos

Photos

E-Paper

E-Paper

Video

Videos

Shots

Shots

Mumbai Lake LevelMumbai Lake Level

Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Photos / IN PHOTOS: Mpox causes, effects, treatment and precaution

IN PHOTOS: Mpox causes, effects, treatment and precaution

Updated On: 26 August, 2024 05:30 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

As countries around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden and more recently Pakistan report cases of Mpox, formerly called Monkeypox, India`s history with the disease means that it is important to be cautious. With that in mind, Mumbai doctors Dr Chhaya Vaja, internal medicine expert, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, and Dr Honey Savla, internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, not only highlight the causes but also the effects, along with the treatment and general precautions from the disease

  • WhatsApp
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
As countries around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden and more recently Pakistan report cases of Mpox, formerly called Monkeypox, India`s history with the disease means that it is important to be cautious. With that in mind, Mumbai doctors Dr Chhaya Vaja, internal medicine expert, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, and Dr Honey Savla, internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, not only highlight the causes but also the effects, along with the treatment and general precautions from the disease

1/6

As countries around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden and more recently Pakistan report cases of Mpox, formerly called Monkeypox, India`s history with the disease means that it is important to be cautious. With that in mind, Mumbai doctors Dr Chhaya Vaja, internal medicine expert, Apollo Spectra Mumbai, and Dr Honey Savla, internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, not only highlight the causes but also the effects, along with the treatment and general precautions from the disease

Causes Mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic infection that is caused by monkeypox virus and results in a rash similar to that of smallpox. Human-to-human transmission of this virus is possible owing to the respiratory droplets. One can also catch the virus because of the bite of an infected animal, coming in contact with an individual infected with it, or even touching contaminated bedding or clothing. Most patients diagnosed with Mpox reported high-risk sexual behaviour (for example: sex with multiple partners) as a potential risk factor. It is commonly seen in men having sex with men.

2/6

Causes Mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic infection that is caused by monkeypox virus and results in a rash similar to that of smallpox. Human-to-human transmission of this virus is possible owing to the respiratory droplets. One can also catch the virus because of the bite of an infected animal, coming in contact with an individual infected with it, or even touching contaminated bedding or clothing. Most patients diagnosed with Mpox reported high-risk sexual behaviour (for example: sex with multiple partners) as a potential risk factor. It is commonly seen in men having sex with men.

Symptoms The symptoms include fever, feeling cold, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, muscle and back pain, headache respiratory problems such as sore throat, nasal congestion and cough. The symptoms of the Mpox rash may also be confused with smallpox and chickenpox.

3/6

Symptoms The symptoms include fever, feeling cold, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, muscle and back pain, headache respiratory problems such as sore throat, nasal congestion and cough. The symptoms of the Mpox rash may also be confused with smallpox and chickenpox.

Effects While the long-term effects will be seen in the future, the known effects of Monkeypox include painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever in the short term and severe complications like bacterial infection from skin lesions, Mpox affecting the brain (encephalitis), and heart (myocarditis).

4/6

Effects While the long-term effects will be seen in the future, the known effects of Monkeypox include painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever in the short term and severe complications like bacterial infection from skin lesions, Mpox affecting the brain (encephalitis), and heart (myocarditis).

Treatment Most immunocompetent patients with mpox have mild disease and will recover without medical intervention. Otherwise, antiviral drugs are also used to treat monkeypox. However, some patients may require pain relief medication for pain related to proctitis or tonsillitis. In addition, for conditions like proctitis, stool softeners and sometimes sitz baths may need to be used.

5/6

Treatment Most immunocompetent patients with mpox have mild disease and will recover without medical intervention. Otherwise, antiviral drugs are also used to treat monkeypox. However, some patients may require pain relief medication for pain related to proctitis or tonsillitis. In addition, for conditions like proctitis, stool softeners and sometimes sitz baths may need to be used.

Precautions Avoid coming in skin-to-skin contact with people. Especially, do not touch people who are seeing Mpox-like rashes on their hands, face, chest, mouth, etc. Avoid kissing or having sex with people infected with mumps. If you belong to a place where this disease is spreading, avoid touching animals in such places, which carry the mumps virus.  Additionally, skin lesions should be covered with long sleeves, long pants to minimise risk of contact with mpox lesions. Patients should avoid sharing their used clothes, towels, food, utensils, or face masks with others and should not allow animals to access them. Individuals with mpox should wear a well-fitting facemask when around others, even if respiratory symptoms are not present. Ideally, household members should wear a facemask when in the presence of a person with mpox as well. Household members providing care to patients with mpox should use disposable gloves for direct contact with lesions.

6/6

Precautions Avoid coming in skin-to-skin contact with people. Especially, do not touch people who are seeing Mpox-like rashes on their hands, face, chest, mouth, etc. Avoid kissing or having sex with people infected with mumps. If you belong to a place where this disease is spreading, avoid touching animals in such places, which carry the mumps virus.  Additionally, skin lesions should be covered with long sleeves, long pants to minimise risk of contact with mpox lesions. Patients should avoid sharing their used clothes, towels, food, utensils, or face masks with others and should not allow animals to access them. Individuals with mpox should wear a well-fitting facemask when around others, even if respiratory symptoms are not present. Ideally, household members should wear a facemask when in the presence of a person with mpox as well. Household members providing care to patients with mpox should use disposable gloves for direct contact with lesions.

Tags

Photo of Day

High tidal waves in Mumbai delay Lalbaugcha Raja`s visarjan

High tidal waves in Mumbai delay Lalbaugcha Raja`s visarjan

The iconic Lalbaugcha Raja idol was shifted onto a raft on Sunday afternoon after delays since morning due to high tide and technical challenges, with final immersion, delayed by several hours, expected to take place around 11 pm, officials said.

Advertisement