Monkey pox has been discovered again in Indonesia. The following is information about what monkey pox is, its causes and how it is treated.
Monkey pox or Monkeypox is again spreading in Indonesia. As of October 14 2023, it has been confirmed that there has been another case of monkey pox in Indonesia.
The Ministry of Health said that these findings resulted in two cases of monkey pox in Indonesia. The first case of monkey pox was discovered in Indonesia on August 20 2022, which was an imported case or came from abroad.
This of course makes people worried because this disease spreads quickly and causes death.
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Just in case, it’s a good idea for you to know what monkey pox or monkeypox is, the following symptoms, causes and how to treat it are summarized from the official Siloam Hospitals website.
What is monkey pox or monkeypox?
Monkey pox is an infectious disease caused by the monkey pox virus which causes a rash and flu-like symptoms.
Monkeypox is currently spread primarily through close contact with infected people, but historically monkeypox was also transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals.
Monkeypox is part of the same virus family as the variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. This disease causes similar symptoms but is milder than smallpox and is rarely fatal.
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There are two types of monkeypox virus known to be endemic to Africa, one originating from Central Africa and the other originating from West Africa. The 2022 global outbreak was caused by a West African strain of the disease, which usually causes less severe illness.
How monkey pox spreads
Monkeypox spreads when a person comes into contact with an animal or person who has the virus.
Transmission occurs through:
Direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, wounds, scabs, or respiratory droplets. It can also occur through hugging, kissing or sex. Contact with recently contaminated materials and skin lesions, including clothing or bedding. Scratches or bites from infected animals, preparing or eating meat or other products from infected animals, or direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or wounds of infected animals.
Symptoms of monkey pox
After exposure to the monkeypox virus, the average incubation period is 1 to 2 weeks before symptoms appear. Early signs of monkey pox include the following flu-like symptoms:
Chills, Fatigue, Fever, Headache, Muscle pain and back pain, Swollen lymph nodes
These flu-like symptoms are usually followed by a rash. The rash can look like pimples or blisters and be painful.
The rash can also appear on the face, in the mouth, and on the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Some people experience a rash first, followed by other flu-like symptoms, while others only experience a rash.
The rash goes through different stages, including pimple-like bumps and blisters that harden and fall off before healing completely. The disease caused by monkey pox usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
Treatment for Monkey Pox
Until now, there is no specific cure for monkey pox. The reason is, this condition can recover by itself in 2-4 weeks. However, some countries use tecovirimat as a way to treat monkey pox.
This drug works by inhibiting the monkeypox virus from multiplying and spreading to other people.
However, you need to contact a doctor if you experience several symptoms as below:
Fever, pain or swollen lymph nodes Rash or new sores Close contact with a person infected with monkeypox
Prevention of Monkey Pox Infection
Anyone can be infected with monkey pox, but this disease can be prevented by limiting close contact with people who have confirmed or suspected monkey pox and by vaccinating.
Here are simple steps that can help you avoid monkey pox:
Avoid close contact with people who have been diagnosed with monkeypox or who have signs and symptoms of monkeypox, including fever and rash; this includes not sharing bedding, towels and equipment used by an infected person, which may be contaminated with the virus from skin lesions. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. If it is necessary to have close contact with someone with monkeypox, wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose and wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
That is complete information about what monkey pox is, its symptoms, causes and how to treat it. Hope it is useful!
Contributor: Peace Lestari