By Kemmie Jackson
A disease immersing and is making its way into the US, and many are worried about its affects, it originates in west Africa, and has made its way across the globe into the USA. As of right now the USA according to the CDC, there are 14,115 confirmed cases by the CDC in the USA. Georgia is one of the states with the most confirmed cases, it is important that you are educated on how monkeypox can affect you and some ways to prevent it. Monkeypox can cause fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes. Not only can it affect you physically, but it could possibly affect your social life, it could affect schools and other public places.
Monkeypox symptoms can come in different forms, and now many people question how deadly the disease is. 99% of people who get this disease survive, but people with a weakened immune system, children under the age of 8, pregnant women, post-partum, or people with a history of eczema have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Most teenagers in high school should not fear high risk of serious illness or death, but should still look out for symptoms. If you think you have monkeypox or have been in contact with someone who has monkeypox, you should get in contact with a health care provider to help you decide if you need to be tested. Many of teenagers are also worried about scarring and the side effects after you have had monkey pox. Monkey pox typically last 2-4 weeks, the lesions are no longer contagious after the scab falls off and new skin has begun to form. This will leave a scar for a time, but eventually new skin will grow back, and the scar will heal.
Another frequently asked question about the new monkeypox disease is, if the disease have the same global affect Covid did or worse? A MD at Rush University Medical Center, Mary Hayden says no. She says, “The virus that causes monkeypox is much harder to spread than the virus that causes COVID 19.” The fact that monkeypox is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and less often through droplets that are inhaled, or that enter through the eyes, or mouth. We do not have to over about monkeypox spreading as fast as Covid did, or worry about it being a big global pandemic, but you should still try your best to stay safe and stay clean. You should check healthcare websites like rush.edu, or cdc.gov, to get updates on the monkeypox virus and how it might affect you, or others around you.
Is the FDA working on a monkeypox vaccine? The answer is yes, the FDA approved two vaccines for preventing monkeypox. JYNNEAOS, and ACAM2000 have been approved. JYNNEAOS was approved August 9th, 2022, and ACAM200 was approved July 1st, 2022. The Department of Health and Human Services has shipped 310,000+ doses of the JYNNEAOS vaccine to jurisdictions nationwide according to usafacts.org. The CDC recommends those who were in close contact with someone with monkeypox to be vaccinated. Take advice from the CDC and get vaccinated if needed.
Monkeypox is a new immersing disease that you should be aware of. Make sure to check the cdc.gov for updates about the disease, and for others around you. Make sure to stay clean, safe, and be aware of the new diseases in our world.
