Navigating Monkeypox: Roche’s Test and Home Care

Monkeypox, now known as mpox, is a severe disease that is transmitted to humans from animals and can also be transmitted from human to human. The recent upsurge of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the growing number of cases in West Africa, countries in Europe, North and South America, and others have led the World Health Organization to declare these outbreaks a public health emergency of international concern.

As these outbreaks continue, it is crucial to understand how we can detect this disease and prevent its spread. In this article, we discuss the symptoms of mpox, explore detection tools such as Roche's test, and provide home care strategies for those affected by the virus.

What is monkeypox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Poxviridae family. This is the same family that includes viruses responsible for diseases such as smallpox and cowpox.

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys (hence the name), and the first human case was reported in 1970 in a boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are two types of monkeypox viruses:

1. Clade I. Originating from Central Africa, this clade causes more severe disease with a higher fatality rate.
2. Clade II. Originating from West Africa, this clade is more infectious but generally causes less severe illness.

In 2022, there was an outbreak of Clade II monkeypox worldwide, which led to the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. More recently, on August 14, 2024, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus again declared monkeypox a public health emergency.

Symptoms and transmission

The symptoms of mpox usually start appearing between 1–21 days after exposure to the virus. The symptoms last between 2–4 weeks or longer in individuals with weakened immune systems. The most common symptoms of monkeypox in children and adults include:

• Rash and skin lesions
• Fever and chills
• Headaches, muscle pain, back pain
• Feeling tired, increased sleepiness, and low energy
• Swollen lymph nodes

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, which means it transmits between animals and humans. In the case of mpox, the virus is primarily found in primates and rodents. It can be transmitted to humans through contact with an infected animal.

The virus also transmits from human to human through close contact (including sexual contact). It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks during prolonged face-to-face contact.

The virus can survive on surfaces and can, therefore, be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects.

General impact on health

The impact of mpox on health depends on several factors, such as the individual's health, potential underlying medical conditions, or previous vaccinations (some studies suggest that vaccination against smallpox provides some protection to a certain extent against the monkeypox virus).

While most individuals recover from mpox without long-term effects, in some cases, the disease might lead to potential complications. One of the most common complications is bacterial skin infections that arise from broken skin. A study published in The Lancet indicates that bronchopneumonia, sepsis, ocular conditions, and neurological manifestations are other potential complications from the disease.

Roche’s FDA-approved monkeypox test

According to information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), identifying mpox can be difficult because its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, such as chickenpox, measles, and bacterial skin infections. Therefore, it is important to use specific laboratory tests for disease control and to prevent further spread.

The most common way of detecting the virus is by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is a highly sensitive method. The test involves collecting material from the rash and skin crusts through vigorous swabbing. The sample is then analyzed to check for the presence of monkeypox virus DNA, which indicates infection.

One of the PCR tests used for the detection of monkeypox is the cobas® MPXV assay from Roche. This test received approval from the FDA for emergency use in 2022 after the global outbreak of mpox.

Early detection through PCR allows for effective monitoring and containment of monkeypox outbreaks.

Latest recommendations for treating monkeypox at home

If you are infected with monkeypox, contact your healthcare provider, who will provide you with specific recommendations tailored to your case to help alleviate your symptoms. The WHO has provided the following recommendations on their website for individuals with monkeypox:

1. Stay home to prevent the spread of the disease.
2. Wear a mask and cover lesions when you are around others.
3. Keep your skin dry and uncovered when you are alone.
4. Use saltwater rinses for sores in the mouth.
5. Take sitz baths or warm baths with baking soda or Epsom salts for body sores.
6. Take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage other symptoms such as pain.
7. Do not pop blisters or sores, as this can slow down healing and increase the risk of infection.
8. Do not shave areas with sores until scabs have healed and new skin has formed underneath, as this can spread the infection to other parts of your body.

Final word

The recent outbreak of mpox underlines the importance of preventing and controlling infectious diseases. While mpox presents relatively manageable symptoms, such as fever, rash, and tiredness, which usually disappear after 2–4 weeks, it is important to prevent the spread of the disease to protect others, especially individuals at high risk.

Maintain standard hygiene practices like regularly washing your hands with soap and water and avoiding contact with sick individuals. If you experience symptoms similar to those of mpox, contact a healthcare professional immediately for further advice.