Contents
Explained: How Mpox and COVID-19 are different despite being viral infections
MPox vs COVID: Experts say that even though both are caused by viruses, MPox and COVID-19 have different characteristics and modes of infection. MPox is caused by the monkeypox virus – a DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus while COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is an RNA virus. Also, there is a lot of difference in the symptoms as while MPox causes pus-filled lesions, coronavirus is more like the flu. Read on to know more.
Both ampox and COVID-19, though caused by viruses, have different characteristics, modes of infection and even different symptoms
The World Health Organisation has said the ampox outbreak is not like other Covid-19 variants – while a deadly strain known as clade 1b has already killed more than 500 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo – leading the UN agency to declare a public health emergency of international concern.
According to the health organization, a lot is already known about the ‘Mpox virus’ and means to control it exist.
How MPox and COVID-19 differ,
Experts say that monkeypox and Covid-19, even though they are caused by viruses, have different symptoms, modes of infection and even symptoms. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus – a DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus while Covid-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is an RNA virus.
Dr Tushar Tayal, internal medicine consultant at CK Birla Hospital, told Times Now, “Mpox spreads primarily through close contact with an infected person’s skin lesions, bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing, while Covid-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.”
There are also some important differences that make MPox a less serious threat than COVID-19, some of which are:
- Ampox is not easily spread
- It is easy to identify infected people
- Preventing outbreaks is easy
Two vaccines are effective against monkeypox
Ampox causes pus-filled sores and flu-like symptoms – usually mild but can be life-threatening. The clade 1b subtype has caused great concern worldwide because it spreads more easily through regular close contact. A case of this variant was confirmed in Sweden last week and it has been linked to growing outbreaks in Africa.
Differences in symptoms
According to Dr Tayal, the symptoms of both viral infections are also different. Symptoms of ampox include fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and rash in the form of vesicles and pimples. “Whereas, in Covid-19, the symptoms vary widely, ranging from mild to severe respiratory problems, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and loss of taste or smell,” said Dr Tayal.
For ampox, long-term effects are generally minimal, with the primary concern being secondary infection from skin lesions or wounds, whereas with COVID-19, many people experience long COVID, with symptoms persisting for weeks or months after recovery.
How is ampox spread?,
Experts say that ampox is transmitted during close contact — prolonged physical contact or direct contact with body fluids or lesions. It can also be spread face-to-face through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated bedding or clothing.
It is not airborne like COVID-19 and is not contagious until the infected person shows symptoms. This makes it much easier to isolate infected individuals and stop the spread.
still The incubation period for ampox is relatively long – at least two weeks. Doctors say the new smallpox vaccine that came out in 2019 prevents the disease in someone who has been exposed or is at risk of exposure. The fact that we already have an effective vaccine is another factor that sets ampox apart from COVID-19, which was a new virus that required the development of a new vaccine.
Get the latest news on Times Now as well as breaking news and top headlines from across health and the world.
