Another is human to human transmission that occurs through direct contact with lesions, secretions, respiratory droplets (usually face-to-face contact needed), or sexual contact.
Meanwhile, indirect transmission happens when one gets in contact with lesion materials, for which Dr. Bobis cited, the beddings, linens, contaminated clothes, among others that were used by someone who is infected.
Dr. Bobis also mentioned that the prevalence of asymptomatic transmission is currently unknown.
He said points of entry are broken skin (even if invisible), respiratory tract, and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth).
“Meron din pong tinatawag na congenital monkeypox kung saan kapag ang nanay po ay may monkeypox maaari niya pong mahawaan ‘yong kaniyang anak,” he said.
Signs and Symptoms
Fever, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), back pain, asthenia (physical weakness/lack of energy), and lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes) are signs and symptoms of monkeypox.
He further pointed out the difference between monkeypox and chickenpox stating that the rash distribution of the former is centrifugal or more abundant on the face, hands and feet. On the other hand chickenpox’s rash distribution is centripetal or more abundant on the trunk than on the face.
The signs and symptoms may be observed with the invasion/prodromal period of zero to five days, whereas the skin eruption period is one to three days after the onset of fever.
Dr. Bobis emphasized that a person is contagious from onset of enanthem (rash) through scab stage, however they are no longer contagious when scabs fall off.
