Mpox is back. What does it mean?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus. The name was changed to Mpox by the World Health Organisation in 2022 to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with the previous name.

We discussed some of the unstated reasons underpinning this change of name a year ago on this page when we first discussed this disease condition under the heading “Mpox; what’s in a name?”

It was clear in that earlier submission that the name monkey pox had some racist undertones, and it followed a long series of dangerous ailments being blamed on the dark continent, ranging from the origins of HIV/AIDs to Ebola Virus Disease, Marburg fever and several others.

Mpox is typically found in Central and West Africa, but it has been reported in other parts of the world, including the United States and Europe, in recent years. Some of the important facts about mpox include the mode of transmission of the virus and the characteristics of the disease condition.

Once more, the WHO has found it necessary to declare an infectious disease as one of public health concern for the second time in four years. It simply indicates that while global warming and expanding populations have much to do with the frequency of these disease outbreaks, the fact that as humans, we often forget the health lessons learned during one scary disease outbreak is soon forgotten also, and that has a bearing on the trajectory of disease conditions.

The transmission of Mpox can occur through direct contact with infected bodily fluids which include blood, saliva, and the sweat of any person suffering from the disease and also by indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

These factors influencing the spread of the disease often weigh heavily on the burden of risk for healthcare workers. This is also the case for people who work in the garbage evacuation industry where they are often ill-informed about adequate health practices or are often too poorly equipped to deal with the variety of merchandise they are required to handle.

Socially speaking, close contact with an infected person by way of touching, hugging, sharing utensils, and even kissing are other ways that often help the propagation of the disease.

The usual incubation period of this disease condition from initial contact to the manifestation of the disease is from 5-21 days. On the average, it is between 7-10 days. So, if at any point in time, any individual suspects that they have been exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms, it is important to contact a healthcare facility nearest to them without delay.

Due to a relative lack of awareness, mpox is now a global health issue of concern consequent upon its rapid spread and potential to infect more people. This is what is now so concerning to health authorities around the world hence the alarm raised by the WHO.

 The common symptoms of mpox include fever, throbbing headaches, muscle aches and swelling of the lymph nodes, which an infected person could become aware of within a few days of contracting the infection and can be confirmed during examination by a healthcare professional.

Other features include the outbreak of rashes and blisters on the skin, often starting on the face, before spreading to other parts of the body. There are two main strains of the mpox virus: Clade 1 and Clade 2. The key differences between them are as follows;

In Clade 1, below are the usual features: More severe symptoms; higher fatality rate (around 3.6%); currently circulating in Central and East Africa, and associated with more severe outcomes, including higher risk of death.

 In contrast, below are the common features associated with Clade 2: Milder symptoms; lower fatality rate (less than 0.2%); responsible for the 2022 outbreak originating in West Africa, and associated with fewer severe outcomes and lower risk of death.

It is absolutely essential to note that both strains can cause serious illness, however, so getting and securing prompt medical attention is crucial for all cases. The World Health Organization and other global health authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and provide guidance on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

As far as prevention is concerned, transmission can be disrupted and prevented by avoiding close contact with infected individuals as enumerated in the second paragraph.

There should be no shaking of hands, no hugging, no holding of the hands and no kissing with any person who is suspected of having contracted the disease. This will be very much like what we became used to during the precious disease outbreaks with Ebola virus disease and Covid-19.

After all, it was only five days ago that we were forced to remember the incredible sacrifices made on behalf of all Nigerians by Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh and her medical team, which did a lot to prevent a Nigerian catastrophe.

Healthcare workers should also protect themselves better by wearing personal protective equipment, which you and I know are often not available nor sufficient for every available healthcare worker to put on.

Why some or most of this equipment are not being made here at home is a massive topic for another day, but it is also an important reflection on how poorly committed we are to public health situations.

Lastly, a lot more can still be achieved by practicing good personal hygiene exemplified by washing hands frequently, with soap and running water. In many parts of Nigeria, running water cannot be found, which is bad enough and it then becomes our individual responsibility to make sure there is potable water, at least. Sadly, even that is often just as difficult to find.

Mpox has spread rapidly across the globe, with cases reported in many countries, including those where the disease is not endemic. Mpox can cause severe symptoms and complications, especially for people with compromised immune status.

These complications can lead to disability and even death in some instances. Some of the severe complications include the development of larger, more widespread lesions than are seen in mild cases, especially in the mouth, eyes, and genitals.

Sadly, secondary bacterial infections can then occur involving the skin or blood and lung infections, leading to complications that are usually life threatening particularly in those parts of sub-Saharan Africa where healthcare infrastructure and manpower complements are few and far between.

This disease can also cause long-term symptoms like pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. It can also cause inflammation of internal organs such as the heart, brain, and the liver. Nonetheless, most people recover from Mpox within a few weeks without any long-term effects.

Most importantly, though, there is a potential for further spread. As a result, The WHO has warned that mpox can still spread further, particularly in areas where there is close contact between people, such as in crowded cities, markets and sex networks.

This is also true of high-risk groups, where for example, men have sex with men and place themselves potentially at higher risk of infection. Lastly, and very importantly, as we noted above the disease can cause severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS.

There is also growing concern about the co-infection of mpox and HIV, which can lead to more severe symptoms and complications. This is an important consideration for as gay men become more involved in spreading the disease, it could closely mirror the early stages of HIV/AIDs where it rapidly spread in that community.

It could, therefore, have a massive effect on that same subset of the population if mpox were to strike where HIV/AIDs still exists.

Very crucially, there is no specific treatment for this disease condition, but symptoms can be managed with antiviral medications, medications to relieve pain and secure adequate hydration by way of including drips to the treatment regimen in those who are ill enough to be hospitalised.

With the declaration by the WHO that mpox is a public health emergency of international concern, it means that it requires a coordinated international response to prevent further spread and protect public health.

Questions and answers

Good morning, Doctor. Please, watch this video I am sending to you and give me your opinion of it. The video says that we should stop drinking tea that has been preserved in tea bags because those bags are coated with a plastic material to keep the contents together. It is also said that once the plastic spray comes off, it is changed to microplastics which are invisible to the naked eye. The video claims that these microplastics can get into the blood stream and block important arteries in the brain and heart with fatal consequences, and also that these microplastics have even been found in semen and the testicles of some men. What do you say, sir?  Thank you. 08037157XXX

Good evening, sir. Thank you very much for sharing this video. We have discussed the menace of microplastics before on this page and attributed their possible adverse health effects to some of these consequences mentioned above. However, that essay talked about plastic bags, cups and other storage materials for water and drinks of all kinds. Tea bags were not a part of that and even now, its possible contribution is a myth. That is because the inner lining of tea bags are not sprayed with a plastic material but rather, the processed tea granules are stored in a filter which is fine enough to sieve out most harmful substances.

Good afternoon, sir. Please how often is it safe to use laxatives for constipation? Thanks. I wish you a blessed weekend. 08115806XXX

Good morning, to you. Thanks so much for your weekend wish. Constipation occurs when you fail to pass stool at least once in three complete days. Most adults who become constipated develop that condition as a result of poor dietary choices. If it is a situation that gets relieved once you add something like more vegetables and fruits to your diet, perhaps that is what you need to do. If you do not obtain any relief with these and have to resort to the use of laxatives, a couple of times are sufficient before you have to look for a doctor to examine you and be sure there is no serious health issue causing you to develop constipation.

Good day, doctor. I am 31 years old with a son and work in the food industry. Over the last four months, I have noticed that I always develop boils in the right leg and thighs. Sometimes, they form on the right side of my labia. I have used different antibiotics and even opened up some of them by myself but they keep coming back. What is the possible cause and what should I do?  08163165XXX

The first thing you need to do is to see a doctor which I suspect you have not done yet. Most of these boils you described are often due to Staphylococcus aureus infections and would need some detailed investigation. If any one of them ruptures, a swab should be taken for culture which will be the best guide for the nature of the organism causing it and the most appropriate antibiotic to use. But even before all these, you need a doctor to determine whether or not you have diabetes. This disease condition can announce its presence in this way in addition to some of other symptoms like increased thirst, more water intake, more frequent urination and weakness.

Good morning Doctor. My son is 1 year old now and he breaks out in all these boils every now and then in different parts of his head. He plays well and sleeps fine but I am just worried that this keeps happening. What should we do? Thanks. +2348023353XXX

Well, children will occasionally develop these kinds of boils and pimples in areas of the head and neck where there are hairs. Often, they do not cause any constitutional disturbance which is the reason that they have no fever, or loss of appetite or increased crankiness. If you wash the head thoroughly with soap and water and dry it gently with a towel, the boils should go on their own. After a while, you will stop seeing them. It is unwise to administer an antibiotic every time you see these kinds of boils.

 Doctor, good day. And well done for all the work you are doing. Sir, I am a 32-year-old first time mother and I had my baby three months ago by caesarian section. Can I take fortified powder milk for myself since my baby is exclusively breastfeeding? I have a friend who was told by her doctor to be taking fortified powdered milk because there is increased demand on her calcium and iron stores by her breastfeeding baby. Is this true, sir? Thank you for your help all the time.  08034307XXX

Thank you very much for your kind words. It is true that there is an increase in demand on your body stores of iron, calcium and various vitamins. You have no need for any kind of powdered milk to replenish these. If you must take milk, there are various brands of condensed, evaporated milk available in various stores. However, you will obtain a lot more nourishment from meat, eggs, fish and vegetables and your money will be better spent on these for your overall benefit. The pepper-soup prepared for the nursing mother is richer than most other types of milk available and that is a good thing for you to take as well. If such pepper soup is then consumed with boiled yam or any kind of swallow, you should not lack any nutrients. Pap made from guinea-corn is also more nutritious than the white kind of pap. Focus on these items and there will be no need for any particular kind of milk for your consumption.

Good evening doctor, I am a 40-year-old woman who is now in my 6th year of marriage. I have never been pregnant, and I have not even missed my period once in my life. My husband, now 44 years old, has been very supportive but of late has become less willing to follow me to run tests. We have sex frequently, sometimes every day of the week and yet there is nothing to show for it. What do we do? 08034446XXX

There is nothing you will do that will not involve money. This is an expensive journey, and you need to travel the road together. Beyond your age and your husband’s age, you did not really supply much information regarding what kinds of tests you have done and so on and so forth. However, you did mention the fact that he was less willing to follow you for tests, so it is likely that you are seeing a doctor. However, this is a job for a gynaecologist to perform and if they are not successful, to refer you to a fertility expert. In that case, all forms of assisted reproduction techniques will be evaluated for your optimum benefit. So, you should start by making that relevant inquiry from your current doctor.

Hello Sunday, doctor. I am a 45-year-old businessman who travels around the country a lot. I do not really have any ailment that I can say I am being treated for. However, within the last three months, I no longer have the energy that I used to have, and I get tired easily, after every little effort at doing anything. I have not lost any weight, but I just feel so tired sometimes. In some cases, I pant when I have to do things that never used to give me any headache. I have zero interest in sex and cannot even get an erection, so I cannot even masturbate. What do you think might be wrong and what should I do about this? Then what multivitamins should I use?   09041100XXX

Well, this is an interesting question. It is difficult to say with any degree of certainty what might be wrong. Several things are possible, and it can range from work burnout due to the physical stress of constant travel to the level of satisfaction you derive from the business ventures you are engaged in. Try and examine these possibilities and if they do not answer your questions as to why you are now like this, you should see a doctor for a detailed examination and follow-up blood tests that will examine your basic level of fitness and also look at your hormonal panel. A cause will be found, and the relevant treatment can then be offered. It is beyond the stage of just getting some vitamin supplements and using them. They will not work.