While some cases of monkeypox have occurred in children, knowing the warning signs and understanding how this virus spreads is helpful.
As if COVID wasn’t enough to worry about, now parents are hearing about monkeypox — and wondering if they should worry about that, too. While cases of monkeypox have been almost entirely in adults, it’s a good idea for parents to know the signs and symptoms and what they can do to help prevent the disease in their children.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral disease that is in the same family as chickenpox or chickenpox. It was first observed in monkeys, hence its name – but it can infect other animals, generally mammals, including humans. It is important to remember that in most people, the disease is mild.
What are the symptoms of monkey pox?
The incubation period, which is the time someone is exposed when they get sick, is three to 17 days. During this time, people feel good. When they do get sick, early symptoms are mild and flu-like, including fever, chills, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, or mild cold symptoms. During this period, it would be impossible to know that the disease is monkeypox, as the symptoms are the same as many other viruses.
The rash appears one to four days later. It starts as a red mark, then grows into a lump that develops fluid on top that becomes pus-filled and then peels off before it goes away. The entire illness lasts two to four weeks. It is important to know that a person with monkey pox is contagious not only until the scabs are gone, but until a new layer of skin has formed under them.
How is monkeypox spread?
It’s harder to catch monkey pox than COVID. It is spread by
- direct contact with the rash, scab, or body fluid (such as saliva) of a person with monkeypox. This usually comes from close physical contact, not casual contact.
- prolonged face-to-face contact. It can spread through respiratory secretions, but not quickly.
- touching fabrics or objects that have been in contact with the rash, scabies, or bodily fluids of a sick person.
What else should parents know about monkeypox?
As I said, there have been very few cases in children and in general the risks to children are low. The best things parents can do are:
- Be aware of case reports in your community. Contact tracing will help you know if you or your child may have been exposed. If you think you or your child has been exposed, talk to your doctor about vaccination and other forms of preventative treatment.
- If you have a teen or young adult who is in a relationship, make sure they know about monkeypox and how to stay safe.
- If your child plays a contact sport, or a sport that involves shared equipment or frequently used surfaces such as mats, talk to the coach about what they will do to prevent illness. It can be as simple as not sharing equipment or towels and wiping down surfaces regularly.
- Talk to your child about not sharing cups or utensils or wearing other people’s clothes. They are very unlikely to catch monkeypox this way, but it can help them avoid other infections. Remind them to wash their hands regularly too – this is the best way to avoid all kinds of infections!
If your child develops a rash with lumps filled with fluid or pus, call your doctor right away. Monkeypox can be more severe in children younger than 8 years old. There are treatments available, and the sooner the child receives them, the better. But this is unlikely to happen: remember, monkeypox is rare in children and parents should not worry too much. The best thing to do is to be aware of communications from local public health officials and follow their advice.
For more information, see monkeypox information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, or talk to your doctor.
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