What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus infection from a group similar to smallpox. This disease has actually been discovered by scientists since 1958.
Monkeypox is commonly found in Central and West African countries, but recently the disease has re-emerged in several countries outside Africa.
Monkeypox is a contagious disease and transmission can occur through animals and humans.
Transmission does not only occur from primates to humans but can also be transmitted through exposure to other animals, such as infected rats and squirrels.
Monkeypox Symptoms
The symptoms are almost similar to chicken pox, but the symptoms felt are milder than those of chicken pox.
Symptoms of monkeypox will appear after 5 to 21 days after exposure to the virus.
1. Invasion period
There are several early symptoms to watch out for, including:
- Fever, this is a common symptom that appears early in the disease.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Back pain.
- Fatigue.
- Shivering.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Usually, 1 to 3 days after experiencing the initial symptoms, people with monkeypox will experience a rash.
The rash can appear on several parts of the body, such as the face, hands, feet, mouth, genital area, and even the eye area.
2. Skin eruption period
Next, the rash will develop into lesions with the following stages:
- Macules. The lesions will change color but remain flat.
- Papules. The lesions will be slightly raised.
- Vesicles. The lesions will grow and form lumps with clear fluid inside.
- Pustules. The fluid inside the lesion will turn yellowish.
After the pustule stage, the lesions will become dry and peel.
Causes of Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease that occurs due to infection with the Monkeypox virus.
The Monkeypox virus is part of the Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family.
Scientists first detected the disease in an outbreak among monkeys used for research, and it is known as monkeypox.
This disease can not only be transmitted through monkeys. Some rodents such as rats and squirrels can also be infected with this disease and transmit it to humans.
This smallpox condition can also be transmitted from human to human although the risk is quite small.
Monkeypox Risk Factors
There are various risk factors that can trigger someone to experience a viral infection that causes monkeypox, such as:
1. Having direct contact or consuming processed products from infected animals
The virus can spread to humans through open wounds from bites or scratches from infected animals.
In addition, consuming meat infected with the virus that causes monkeypox can also cause the spread of this disease.
2. Having direct contact with a person with monkeypox
The monkeypox virus can spread through direct contact with the body fluids of the sufferer.
For example, through saliva that enters the eyes, nose and mouth.
However, it should be noted that human-to-human transmission takes a long time and quite intense contact. That is the reason this disease is quite rare between humans.
Monkeypox Transmission Process
Transmission of this disease can occur from animals to humans, or from humans to humans.
Not only that, the virus can also be transmitted through the placenta from a pregnant mother to the fetus.
Transmission of monkeypox from animals to humans occurs through scratches or bites from animals infected with humans.
In addition, exposure to bodily fluids or blood from hunted animals can also trigger transmission through open wounds on the body.
Also, pay attention to the use of animal products (meat) made from infected animals.
Meanwhile, human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with infected wounds, scabs, or body fluids of monkeypox sufferers.
Sharing personal items with someone with monkeypox can also be a means of transmission.
Monkeypox Diagnosis
The doctor will confirm the sufferer’s medical and family history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to confirm the symptoms that occur.
Physical examination will be performed on the lesions and rashes that appear through laboratory tests.
Fluid samples from the lesion will then be processed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
In addition, examination can also be done by performing a biopsy. This examination will be done by taking samples of the lesion and skin to determine the type of virus that causes the symptoms.
Monkeypox Treatment
There is currently no cure for the disease. Treatment is usually used to relieve symptoms only.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia has three efforts as a step to overcome monkeypox. These efforts consist of surveillance, therapeutics, and vaccination.
Therapeutics itself will be carried out by providing symptomatic therapy and preparing logistics for special antivirals for monkeypox.
However, antivirals do not need to be given to all monkeypox sufferers.
Patients who receive antivirals are a group at risk of experiencing or already experiencing severe symptoms.
Severe condition is defined as having more than 100 skin lesions or experiencing other symptoms. Examples include high fever, nausea, and vomiting.
In addition, the appearance of lesions on vital parts of the body also requires treatment with antivirals.
For example, lesions appear in the eye area which can trigger blindness or in the throat area which can block the airway.
The good news, according to Dr. Robert Sinto, Sp.PD, K-PTI, FINASIM from the Indonesian Association of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, in a conference of 14 patients in Indonesia did not need antivirals.
Some groups who are at higher risk of receiving treatment in hospital are children, the elderly, and people with conditions or who are taking medications that can affect their immune system.
Monkeypox Complications
There are several complications that can be caused by this disease, such as:
- Bronchopneumonia.
- Sepsis.
- Inflammation of the brain tissue.
- Infection of the cornea to the outer layer of the eye which can cause visual impairment.
Monkeypox disease can also cause death in sufferers, but this complication is very rare.
As many as 1 in 10 cases of monkeypox result in death.
There are several risks that cause death in sufferers of this condition, such as very young age, poor health history, and worsening complications.
Monkeypox Prevention
Reporting from the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control – Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, there are several preventive measures that you can take.
One of them is not having sexual activity with a partner who shows symptoms of monkeypox.
Also make sure to practice healthy sexual practices, and not change sexual partners to prevent transmission of monkeypox.
In addition, contact a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms related to monkeypox.
Do not go out of the house and it is better to avoid crowds to prevent the spread of this virus.
You can also take other preventive measures, such as:
- Avoid traveling to areas where this disease is spreading.
- Wash your hands regularly with running water and soap. If this is not possible, you can use hand sanitizer.
- Do not approach wild rodents or primates.
- Avoid consuming raw animal meat.
- Prevent sharing or using personal items with the sufferer.
- Keep a safe distance from people with monkeypox.
- Get a smallpox vaccine, because the smallpox vaccine is believed to prevent monkeypox by 85 percent.
In addition, make sure to always keep your immune system strong by consuming nutritious foods and the necessary vitamins and supplements.