If you have symptoms of suspected monkeypox, what should you do?

BS-CKI. Hoang Van MinhHead of Blood Tumor Center, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital – Facility 3, replied:

Symptoms of monkeypox usually include fever, headache severe pain, muscle pain, back pain, weakness, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash. The rash usually begins within 1 to 3 days of the onset of the fever. Lesions may be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, which may later scab, dry, and peel off. The number of lesions per person can range from a few nodules to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms, and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes.

Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment.

If you suspect you have symptoms of monkeypox, report it to your local health care provider. Tell your doctor if you have had close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed disease monkey pox.

How to take care and protect yourself?

You can reduce your risk of catching monkeypox by limiting contact with people who are suspected or infected.

If you need direct contact with someone with monkeypox because you are a healthcare worker or live together, encourage the infected person to self-isolate and should wear a medical mask, especially if they are coughing or have a sore in their mouth. You should also wear a mask. Avoid skin-to-skin contact and use disposable gloves and a mask when handling any clothing or bed sheets if they are not able to do it themselves.

Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner, especially after contact with an infected person, clothing, bed sheets, towels, and other items or surfaces that the sick person has touched. have touched or may have been exposed to rashes or respiratory secretions (eg, utensils, dishes). Wash the sick person’s clothes, towels and bed sheets, and eating utensils with warm water and detergent. Clean and disinfect any contaminated surfaces and dispose of contaminated waste (e.g. gauze, bandages) appropriately.

If you think you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with monkeypox, contact your healthcare provider for advice, testing and medical attention. If possible, isolate yourself and avoid close contact with others. Wash your hands often and take the steps outlined above to protect others from getting sick.