Monkeypox: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options
Monkeypox.
Monkeypox: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is usually found in tropical areas. It’s caused by the same virus that causes smallpox in humans and other animals. There have only been about 400 cases of monkeypox ever reported, and most of these have been limited to central Africa, with scattered reports from West African countries. Monkeypox outbreaks are rare because the people who live in areas where the virus thrives take great care to avoid contact with monkeys, which can easily transmit it. This means that while there are many places where you can catch monkeypox, it’s not a very common disease in developed countries. If you contract this disease, the symptoms can be quite severe but they also tend to be fairly brief. Left untreated, however, they can become life-threatening. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about this unusual infection…
What Are the Symptoms of Monkeypox?
The symptoms of monkeypox generally appear within 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. They can include any or all of the following: Fever, headache, weakness, muscle aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes (especially in the armpit and groin area), cough, abdominal pain, and rash. The rash usually appears on the face first, near the hairline, and then moves downward, stopping at the chest area. It has a very characteristic appearance, with small red bumps surrounded by a red-purple color. A person with monkeypox will likely feel ill enough to go to the doctor, but it’s wise to take precautions in case you’re misdiagnosed. For example, the rash may be mistaken for a bacterial infection, like strep throat. It’s important to let the doctor know if you’ve been in contact with a person who has monkeypox, so that you can be properly tested and treated.
How Does One Contract Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare but serious infection that is caused by a virus related to the one that causes smallpox. It is spread through contact with the fluid from the blisters of an infected person. People who have been exposed to the smallpox vaccine are less likely to contract monkeypox. The virus can be passed from an infected person to someone else if the blisters come into contact with broken skin or the eyes or nose of the uninfected person. You can also get monkeypox if you come in contact with bedding, towels, furniture, or clothing that has been contaminated by droplets from the blisters of an infected person, or by droplets coughed into the air by an infected person. Contact with contaminated droplets or items that have been contaminated with droplets from infected blisters needs to occur within a few hours of transmission between two people.
What Are the Causes of Monkeypox?
The disease is caused by a type of virus called a poxvirus. This family of viruses also includes the viruses that cause chickenpox, shingles, cowpox, and smallpox. The virus is most often transmitted from animals (such as rodents) to humans, but it can also be passed from human to human. The virus can also be found in other animals such as monkeys, rodents, and bats. The virus from these animals can cause illness in humans and is sometimes called a “zoonotic” illness.
How Is Monkeypox Treated?
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but the infection will usually go away on its own within a few weeks. The CDC also recommends anyone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox should stay away from others to prevent them from contracting the virus. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as you begin to suspect you might have monkeypox. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the infection from spreading to other people.
Hope Comes in the Form of a Vaccine
Good news! A vaccine against monkeypox has been developed and is available in the United States. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people 12 years of age and older. The vaccine was developed during the smallpox eradication effort about 30 years ago. It has been used to prevent infection in people at high risk of getting monkeypox in central Africa, where there are frequent outbreaks of the virus among people who come into contact with animals. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that people who work with animals that could carry the monkeypox virus be vaccinated against the disease. Other people at risk are laboratory workers who handle infectious materials, persons who travel to areas where the virus is common and workers who handle samples from patients who might have contracted monkeypox.
Final Words
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is usually found in tropical areas. It is caused by the same virus that causes smallpox in humans and other animals. There have only been about 400 cases of monkeypox ever reported, and most of these have been limited to central Africa, with scattered reports from West African countries. If you contract this disease, the symptoms can be quite severe but they also tend to be fairly brief. Left untreated, however, they can become life-threatening. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about this unusual infection.
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Britain in Talks With NATO to Boost Arctic Security
The Arctic Is No Longer a Frozen Backwater For decades, the Arctic sat quietly on the margins of global politics—remote, frozen, and largely ignored. That era is over. Britain is now in talks with NATO to strengthen Arctic security, acknowledging growing risks posed by Russia and China. In a notable shift, London’s assessment aligns closely with warnings long emphasized by Donald Trump, particularly as he continues to express strategic interest in Greenland. What once sounded like an eccentric fixation has evolved into a serious geopolitical conversation. The Arctic is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most contested regions, and Britain is positioning itself to play a larger role. Why Britain Is Paying Attention Now Although the UK is not an Arctic nation, it is an Arctic-adjacent power with significant strategic interests. British officials increasingly view the High North as critical to national and allied security. 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What once seemed unconventional now appears prescient. NATO’s Arctic Awakening NATO has traditionally focused on Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic. The Arctic, despite its importance, received less coordinated attention. That is changing. Britain’s talks with NATO reflect a broader alliance effort to integrate Arctic defense into its core strategy. This includes: Increased joint military exercises in cold-weather environments Enhanced monitoring of Russian and Chinese activity Strengthening cooperation with Arctic nations like Norway, Canada, and Denmark Protecting critical undersea and satellite infrastructure For Britain, this is also about credibility. As a leading NATO member and a key military power, the UK wants to demonstrate that it can contribute meaningfully beyond its immediate geography. Climate Change as a Security Multiplier One of the most striking aspects of Arctic security is how closely it is tied to climate change. 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Arctic security lacks the visibility of conflicts like Ukraine, making it harder to sustain political attention. Yet policymakers increasingly argue that prevention is cheaper—and safer—than crisis response. What This Means Going Forward Britain’s talks with NATO mark an important shift in how the Arctic is viewed: not as a distant frontier, but as a central arena in 21st-century security. Agreement with Trump-era assessments on Russia, China, and Greenland underscores how geopolitical realities can outlast political controversies. As competition intensifies, the Arctic will likely become a testing ground for cooperation, deterrence, and strategic foresight. Britain’s involvement signals that mid-sized powers are no longer content to watch from the sidelines. Final Thoughts The Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth—and so are the geopolitical tensions surrounding it. 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By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
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