What are the differences between monkeypox and chickenpox? I had chickenpox as a child, can I get monkeypox now? (Hoa An, 40 years old)
Reply:
Monkeypox and chickenpox are both viral infectious diseases, with four stages: incubation, onset, full-blown, and recovery. These two diseases progress in a similar way, initially with flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, then blisters appear, causing itching and pain, spreading, crusting, and beginning to heal. However, they have many differences.
In terms of the cause of the disease, monkeypox is caused by Monkeypox virus (MPXV), belonging to the Orthopoxivirus genus of the Poxiviridae family. Chickenpox is caused by Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Because they are caused by two completely different viruses, having had chickenpox or being vaccinated against it will not prevent monkeypox.
Regarding the source of infection, chickenpox spreads the virus through the air from droplets of secretions or direct contact with the blisters of an infected person. The ability to spread is 5-7 days before the rash appears and 7 days after the rash appears.
Monkeypox is transmitted from animals to humans through bites or scratches or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping or eating animals. The disease can also be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infected skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on the genitals (prolonged talking, kissing, oral sex, through the placenta from mother to fetus...).
Monkeypox is not easily transmitted due to its long incubation period, but it is contagious once a person begins to show symptoms.
The incubation period of monkeypox is about 6-13 days (possibly 5-21 days), and chickenpox is 10-21 days (average 14-17 days). In the initial stage, in addition to the common symptoms of fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain, monkeypox also has symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, which are not seen in chickenpox.
Many cases of monkeypox have no symptoms but can still transmit the virus to others, while chickenpox is rarely asymptomatic.
People infected with the monkeypox virus may have lifelong immunity to the disease. The virus that causes chickenpox is never cleared from the body. It remains in nerve cells and can reactivate when immunity is low and cause shingles.
Aside from vaccines, the best way to prevent monkeypox and chickenpox is to avoid exposure to the disease.
For monkeypox, you should limit skin-to-skin contact with people who have the rash, including sexual partners. Avoid sharing utensils, personal care items, clothing, bedding, and towels with people who have the disease, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Chickenpox is also prevented in a similar way. However, because the chickenpox virus is much more contagious, people with the disease must be isolated until their symptoms disappear. You should wear gloves and a medical mask when around sick people, and clean all surfaces in the room regularly.
Master, Doctor Bach Nguyen Tra My
Department of Internal Medicine - Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi
| Readers ask questions about respiratory diseases here for doctors to answer |
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