Monkeypox or what is called monkey pox is a disease that is transmitted by animals (zoonosis) such as monkeys or other rodents to humans. Monkey pox is characterized by pus-filled pustules appearing on the skin?
Transmission of Monkey Pox
Monkey pox can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals. The virus can spread through injured body parts from bites or scratches from infected animals. In addition, monkey pox can be transmitted through direct contact with humans infected with monkey pox. In addition, monkeypox can be transmitted from human to human through close contact with droplets, body fluids or skin lesions of infected people. Sharing personal items such as towels, clothes, bedding or eating utensils with sufferers can also increase the risk of being infected with monkey pox. The period of infection starts with symptoms until the scab peels off, usually 2 to 4 weeks.
Symptoms and Signs of Monkey Pox
- Acute fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius
- Headache
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Myalgia or muscle pain
- Back pain
- Body fatigue (fatigue)
- Rashes or lesions appear filled with clear fluid and lesions filled with pus fluid
After 1 to 3 days of having a fever, the sufferer will experience a rash starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Chickenpox can last for 2 to 4 weeks.
Prevention of Monkey Pox
Monkey pox can be prevented in several ways, such as:
- Wash your hands regularly with running water and soap
- Avoid direct contact or provocation with wild rodents or primates
- Avoid consuming or handling meat hunted from wild animals.
- Get used to eating meat that has been cooked properly
- Do not share or use personal items at the same time as people with monkey pox
- Avoid going to places or areas where monkey pox spreads
- Maintain distance and do not come into direct contact with monkey pox sufferers
- For health workers, use personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients infected with monkey pox
- Get the smallpox vaccine
Treatment for Monkey Pox
There is no specific treatment to cure monkey pox. Treatment that can be done is to relieve the symptoms that arise due to monkey pox. Most sufferers recover within a few weeks without treatment. If the symptoms you experience are quite severe and do not improve, then immediately go to the hospital to get appropriate treatment. It is important to remember that with monkey pox, you must self-isolate to prevent the spread and transmission of the disease. The vaccine used to prevent monkey pox has been approved using the smallpox vaccine, but global availability is still limited.
Go to the hospital immediately if EMC friends or family experience symptoms and signs of monkey pox to get appropriate treatment.
Article written by dr. Dhika Beankha Kusnaedi, Sp.KK (Skin & Venereology Specialist at EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).