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Monkeypox: Prevention is the Best Cure for Children

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While the COVID pandemic is still not over, we are certainly putting up a good fight against it. However, bad news is here once again in the form of monkeypox. This new disease has started to spread alarmingly, forcing even the WHO to sit up and pay attention. The effect on children is a matter of major concern especially. However, watching out for the signs and symptoms can help detect the disease early on and avail treatment to ensure a fast recovery. You should also check if your health insurance plansthat cover your kids offer financial support in case of monkeypox. This can lessen the added stress for you.

Basics of Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a pox type of viral infection which originates from the family of chickenpox and smallpox. While the human civilization is not really at risk of smallpox anymore, as the same was eradicated some decades back, chickenpox and monkeypox remain endemic in many countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox to be a health concern, which is currently putting the whole world at risk.

There is no known or proven cure for monkeypox, though some antiviral drugs are shown to have worked against it. JYNNEOS vaccine is approved by the United States FDA as an effective prevention system for monkeypox.

Monkeypox Symptoms

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States has declared that monkeypox patients may show different symptoms. The most common systems include:

• Fever, headache, backache

• Swelling in lymph nodes

• Feeling chills

• Exhaustion

• Sore throat, cough or congestion in the nasal cavity

• Rash near genital areas

• In some children, this rash may be the only symptom and can occur anywhere within 3 weeks of viral exposure

Monkeypox Symptoms in Children

As per the CDC, children or adolescents can be considered at risk of monkeypox if healthcare professionals find the rash to be consistent with the disease, particularly when epidemiologic criteria are present. In case of children who are known to have eczema and other skin conditions or have any other condition that can risk their immunity, they should be considered at increased risk of a severe affliction. These can be coupled with any or all other symptoms of Monkeypox, which may be present with differing levels of severity.

Be Aware of Monkeypox Risk as Parents

As children are at a greater risk of getting monkeypox, you need to careful and mindful as a parent. Don’t overlook any kind of rash. This can change from maculopapular lesions to vesicles, pustules, and finally scabs. While fever and lymphadenopathy were also shown as symptoms before the 2022 outbreak, they are not very common in this case. Children do show symptoms of fatigue or headache, so lookout for those as well.

Monkeypox Viral Vectors and Spread Patterns

Monkeypox is generally a skin to skin infection virus and requires close and personal contact where touch may be involved. If a person directly touches any rash, scab, or any bodily fluid of any infected person, they will get infected. If a person touches any object or clothing as well as bedding that the infected person has used, the same can also lead to infection spread. Any sexual activity with the infected person can also lead to the transmission of infection. If a pregnant woman gets infected with monkeypox, the same can pass on to the foetus through the placenta.

Protect Your Children against Monkeypox

Since children are more vulnerable, you need a protection regime in place to ensure that they steer clear of any person known to be infected or at risk of infection. Make sure that your children know about maintaining proper physical hygiene and follow the same on a regular basis. Teach them to regularly wash hands and sanitise as well. Ask them to avoid touching public places and be careful in school and other social environments.

Treatment of Monkeypox

For now, there is no known cure for monkeypox.However, as it is like the smallpox virus, antivirals like tecovirimat (TPOXX) are generally used in case of those who are at risk of becoming severely ill.This is especially true for patients with weakened immune systems.So, in case of children, prevention is the best approach for Monkeypox, to stay safe and healthy.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the symptoms of monkeypox in children and how it spreads, you are surely in a better position to keep them safe. Also ensure that you have proper health insurance plans in place for them to take care of any emergency.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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