American family physician
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Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus, similar to smallpox. Although mpox was endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and parts of Africa, increasing numbers of cases were reported worldwide in 2022. More than 30,000 cases have been reported in the United States, and worldwide 98% of cases are found in men who have sex with men. ⋯ Antiviral treatments such as tecovirimat, cidofovir, or brincidofovir may be considered for use in individuals who have or are at high risk of severe disease. Possible complications of mpox include anogenital pain, bacterial superinfections of skin lesions, dehydration secondary to oral lesions, encephalitis, keratitis, and respiratory distress. To date, 38 deaths have been reported in the United States.
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Approximately 7% of children in the United States younger than 18 years have a diagnosed eye disorder, and 1 in 4 children between two and 17 years of age wears glasses. Routine eye examinations during childhood can identify abnormalities necessitating referral to ophthalmology, which optimizes children's vision through the early diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities. The U. ⋯ Eye examinations include visual acuity testing, external examinations, assessing ocular alignment and pupillary response, and assessing for opacities with the red reflex examination. Common abnormalities include refractive errors, amblyopia (reduction in visual acuity in one eye not attributable to structural abnormality), and strabismus (misalignment of the eye). Rare diagnoses include retinoblastoma (often detectable through loss of red reflex), cataracts (detectable by an abnormal red reflex), and glaucoma (often manifests as light sensitivity with corneal cloudiness and enlargement).