Is Monkeypox Next?

by Mila McManus, MD

Whether it’s Monkeypox, COVID, or flu and cold season, it is always a good reminder to our patients and friends that we should always be engaged in ensuring our immune function is operating optimally.

What is Monkeypox and what do we know about it?

Unlike COVID, Monkeypox has been well studied and occurred in America in 2003 and is endemic to Western and Central Africa. While the CDC believes we will see more cases popping up in the United States in the coming days and weeks, it is not novel, and there are antiviral treatments for it.
This virus is a rare disease closely related to smallpox, and according to the CDC, the small pox vaccine is 85% protective against it. Positive testing for Orthopox, the family of viruses that includes Monekypox and smallpox, is used for diagnosis. Monkeypox is unrelated to Chickenpox.
Monkeypox is also not as easily transmitted as COVID, colds, and flu. It is largely transmitted through close, skin-to-skin contact, and is transferred by body fluids, virus sores, and respiratory droplets of people with lesions in their mouths and throats due to infection. Shared bedding and clothing with intimate partners is a possible method of transmission. Most recent cases around the world have been identified within the gay and bisexual communities.
There are two strains. One out of Central Africa and another out of West Africa that is less severe. So far, the several confirmed cases in the US have been the less severe strain. Also, the positive diagnoses have been found in individuals who are recently returned from international travel. A pandemic is highly unlikely.
Traditional primary care physicians are the best source for diagnosis and treatment.

What are the symptoms for Monkeypox?

Starts with flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, and achy muscles.
Swollen lymph nodes are also common.
After 1-3 days, a rash usually develops on the face, then can spread to the rest of the body.
Flat, circular lesions in different parts of the body that eventually turn into bumps filled with a clear fluid develop.
These bumps eventually become crusty and fall off.
Recovery usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Helpful Immune Boosters to Fight off Viral Infections

Daily Maintenance:

Multivitamin
Vitamin D3
Quality Probiotic
Vitamin C

Additional Support:

Tri-Immune Injections with Glutathione, Zinc, and Vitamin C
Viracid
WholeMune™
Quercetin
Zinc 25-50mg daily

Finally, a healthy lifestyle including quality rest, stress reduction practices, exercise, avoiding sugar, handwashing, sunshine, and laughter are invaluable ways to support immune function.

For preventative support, we are happy to assist you in putting together an individual protection plan. Schedule an appointment with one of our medical providers to discuss the ideal plan for you.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20220524/what-to-know-monkeypox-us-cases

What is T-Detect COVID Testing?

T-Detect COVID is the first T cell test for COVID-19 available in the U.S

What are T cells?

T cells are key players in the adaptive immune system. When the body is invaded by a foreign substance like a virus or bacteria, the immune system rallies one of its earliest lines of defense, helper T cells, to join the fight.

Helper T cells may call on their allies to kickstart antibody production to support the fight against the disease. Helper T cells also alert other types of T cells to the presence of foreign invaders to be targeted and destroyed.

After the body has fought off an infection or disease, a small number of T cells remain in the blood. They are called memory T cells and their job is to remember how to ward off these invaders if they ever return.

What is T-Detect COVID?

T-Detect COVID is the first T cell test for COVID-19 available in the U.S. (not available in U.S. Territories) to those over age 18. It measures T cells instead of antibodies to detect recent or past SARS-CoV-2 infection (the virus that causes COVID-19).

How does T-Detect COVID work?

T cells are the first responders of the adaptive immune system and activate the antibody response. While antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) naturally wane and are detectable in the shorter term, T cell responders can persist in the blood long after antibody responses wane.

T-Detect COVID can detect T cells in a blood and recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus for up to 10 months after symptoms appear (90% sensitivity).

What does T-Detect COVID measure?

T-Detect COVID can detect an immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, to assess recent or past infection. It is not intended for the diagnosis of active/current SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The T-Detect® Assay – Blood test

The T-Detect COVID Assay is intended for use as an aid in identifying individuals with an immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. The T-Detect COVID Assay uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) to assess the rearranged T-cell receptor beta (TCRβ) gene sequences to present in genomic DNA isolated from human peripheral blood. This test is not intended for diagnosis of active SARS-CoV-2 infection.

T-Detect is available by prescription only. T-Detect results should always be used in combination with clinical examination, patient medical history, and other findings.

Call our office (281-298-6742) for more information and/or to schedule blood draw. The test costs $259

Reference: https://www.t-detect.com/