With more than 15,000 cases of the Monkeypox virus worldwide — 2,000 of which are here in the United States — being informed about this new illness is essential. The virus has now spread across several countries with the Centers for Disease Control and Protection monitoring the developing situation. As a response to this latest outbreak, Chad Price, CEO of MAKO Medical Laboratories, has released information to help citizens.

Chances are, like most Americans, you have questions about the outbreak. In the wake of the COVID-19 virus, the emergence of a new illness can appear to be threatening. Luckily, CEO Chad Price and his team of experts have you covered. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the core things that you should know about the Monkeypox virus.

1. It is related to the smallpox virus

One of the questions that many people have when it comes to Monkeypox is what type of virus it is. You may be surprised to learn that the Monkeypox virus is related to smallpox. To get highly technical about it, it is a type of orthopoxvirus that is related to the variola virus. The latter actually causes the smallpox illness when people become infected with it.

2. There’s a broad selection of symptoms

Understanding the symptoms of the Monkeypox virus is important if you want to protect yourself and lower the risk of spreading it. One of the initial symptoms may be a pox-like rash and — for some people — this is where the symptoms start and end. However, other side effects include muscle aches, headaches, fevers, swollen lymph nodes, child and, even exhaustion. The illness tends to last around two to four weeks in total.

3. There are two types of Monkeypox

While you may have heard the media reporting on the Monkeypox virus, it’s worth noting that we are dealing with two different types of infection here. These types are known as clades. You have the West African and Congo Basin versions of the virus. The current outbreak that we are seeing spread across the globe is the West African version.

4. The rash may be mistaken for pimples

When you are looking out for the Monkeypox rash, it pays to know what the signs are. Surprisingly enough, these pox may look like small pimples and they often start appearing on the face. People who have had the virus have also found pox inside their mouth and on other parts of their body, such as their chests, hands, feet, and even genitals. Should you be concerned about this issue, it’s worth looking up how the Monkeypox rash looks first.

5. Avoiding close contact prevents the spread

Needless to say, so that you can protect yourself and those around you, you need to avoid close contact. Monkeypox spreads through skin-to-skin contact between people. For that reason, if you or someone you know has the virus, you should avoid kissing, cuddlings, and having sex with them. Additionally, you should not use the same towels, bedding, clothing, or utensils. Increasing your cleanliness and avoiding sharing is a smart move.

6. If you have Monkeypox, you should isolate

Should you contract Monkeypox, the onus is on protecting those around you. The most important thing you need to do is isolate yourself in your own home. As we have already stated, you also need to make sure that you stay away and avoid contact with people. If you have an active rash or other symptoms, you will need to take extra care. Don’t allow anybody else to touch or attempt to clean the rash — you will have to do this task yourself.

7. Testing can stop the Monkeypox spread

We all have a duty to stop the spread of Monkeypox. Having already seen the chaos that an active pandemic can create, preventing people becoming infected is vital. One of the ways that we can do that is by getting tested regularly. The MAKO Medical Laboratories Monkeypox test (MPXV) is now available online. Chad Price’s team of experts will be running the Applied Biosystems TaqMan Monkeypox Virus Microbe Detection Assay. Ordering your test and getting the results that you need is a quick and easy process.

8. The MAKO test detects the Monkeypox virus

If you are considering getting the Monkeypox test (MPXV) from MAKO Medical Laboratories, it’s worth knowing how it works. While current assays are only able to test for a positive case of the orthopox virus, this new test goes one step further. Since it is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, it used the same assay principles as the CDC’s FDA-cleared test. That means that the test will give clients the latest and most accurate results when they choose to use MAKO Medical Laboratories for their needs.

9. The turnaround time is speedy

When you’re waiting for important test results, speed and efficiency are everything. If you choose to use the MAKO Medical Laboratories Monkeypox test (MPXV), you can expect a speedy turnaround time. Thanks to the hard work of the experts and the latest technology on which they rely, test results are given to clients within 48 hours of specimen receipt. When you are getting tested, you will need to ship the specimen immediately at room temperature. Taking those precautions allows for a high level of accuracy in the results.

10. Public health reporting is a top priority

Last but by no means least, you should know that public health reporting is a top priority for Chad Price, CEO of MAKO Medical Laboratories. The team at the laboratories will report as required by state laws and general regulations. That aligns with the company’s reporting requirements as a performing laboratory. However, it does not cover reporting that may be required by other health providers. In addition, the MAKO team does not keep a list of reporting requirements for providers. That means that they cannot provide guidance on client reporting. Knowing the facts ahead of time is a health-conscious move.

The Takeaway!

With the Monkeypox virus spreading all over the globe, it’s important that we all stay well informed and keep up-to-date. Experts such as Chad Price, CEO of MAKO Medical Laboratories, are keeping on top of the situation and will continue to offer steady advice and guidance to the wider community. Ensuring that you keep yourself and those around you safe from this new virus has to be at the top of your list. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can reduce the threat level posed to you and the wider community too.