Mpox vs. Covid: Explains how the monkeypox virus and COVID-19 are different even though they are viral infections

The World Health Organization has said the Mpox outbreak is not comparable to any other COVID-19 disease – even though a deadly clade 1B strain has caused more than 500 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN agency then declared it an international health emergency.

According to the health authority, a lot is already known about the Mpox virus and there are means to contain it.

What are the differences between Mpox and COVID-19??

Experts say that although both Mpox and COVID-19 are caused by viruses, they have different characteristics, modes of transmission and even symptoms. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus – a DNA virus in the orthopoxvirus genus – while COVID-19 spreads through the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is an RNA virus.

“Mpox is mainly transmitted through close contact with skin lesions, body fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing of an infected person, while COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks,” Dr Tushar Tayal, consultant internal medicine physician at CK Birla Hospital, told Times Now.

There are also important differences that make Mpox a far less serious threat than COVID-19. Some of these include:

Mpox causes purulent lesions and has flu-like symptoms – is usually mild but can be fatal. The Clade 1B subtype has caused widespread concern around the world as it appears to spread more easily through routine close contact. A case of the variant was confirmed in Sweden last week and has been linked to a growing outbreak in Africa.

Difference in symptoms

According to Dr. Tayal, even the symptoms of the two viral infections are different. Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and a rash in the form of blisters and pustules. “With COVID-19, on the other hand, symptoms vary greatly and range from mild to severe respiratory problems, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and loss of taste or smell,” said Dr. Tayal.

With Mpox, long-term effects are generally minimal. The main concern is secondary infections from skin lesions or scarring. With COVID-19, however, many suffer from “long COVID,” with symptoms lasting weeks or months after recovery.

How does Mpox spread?

According to experts, Mpox is transmitted through close contact – prolonged physical contact or direct contact with body fluids or lesions. It can also spread face-to-face through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated bedding or clothing.

It does not spread through the air like COVID-19 and is not contagious until the infected person shows symptoms. This makes it much easier to isolate infected people and prevent the spread.

Even the The incubation period of Mpox is relatively long – at least two weeks. Doctors say the newer smallpox vaccine, which came on the market in 2019, prevents the disease in a person who has been exposed to the virus or is at risk of contracting it. The fact that we already have an effective vaccine is another factor that distinguishes Mpox from COVID-19, which was a novel virus that required the development of a new vaccine.