What are the first symptoms of monkeypox?

Dr. Vo Thi Huynh Nga, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Saigon South International General Hospital (HCMC), said that monkeypox is a rare virus related to smallpox, which can be transmitted from animals through body fluids including saliva droplets or respiratory tract or contact with wound secretions as well as through shared items such as bed sheets and towels.

The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body. The lesions on the body go through a series of stages from burning to rash, then blisters and pustules. Finally, the lesions form scabs before falling off and healing, leaving scars.

Monkeypox patients have spots on their skin.

First symptoms

According to Dr. Huynh Nga, the symptoms of monkeypox usually occur in two stages: the invasive stage and the disease stage. In the invasive stage, symptoms include: Fever (usually the first symptom of the disease), followed by severe headache, back pain, chills, fatigue, lethargy...

Stage of the disease: Rash appears all over the face, palms, feet, mouth, eyes, genitals. Manifested as large blisters that gradually turn into pustules, then dry and form scabs.

How long does the illness usually last?

Monkeypox usually lasts 2-4 weeks and symptoms can appear anywhere on the body 5-21 days after infection with the virus.

Once fever has developed, the typical clinical manifestations of monkeypox are An itchy rash appears 1-3 days later, usually starting with pustules on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The number of pustules can range from a few to thousands.

These pustules will “ripen” and burst. They first develop into tiny flat bumps, then vesicles (filled with fluid), then pustules (filled with pus), and finally crust over before disappearing.

Are children susceptible to monkeypox?

Children can contract monkeypox if they are in close contact with someone who has symptoms of the disease, according to the WHO. Data from previously affected countries suggest that young children are more likely to develop severe disease than adolescents and adults. However, children account for a small proportion of those infected with monkeypox in this outbreak.

Blisters on the body of a person with monkeypox

How to prevent monkeypox?

Russian doctors say monkeypox can be prevented relatively easily through measures such as self-isolation and hygiene. People with monkeypox usually recover after about 2-4 weeks.

In addition, people should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Do not spit indiscriminately in public places. Wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water or hand sanitizer. People with symptoms of acute rash of unknown cause accompanied by one or more suspicious symptoms should proactively contact a medical facility for timely monitoring and advice. At the same time, they should proactively self-isolate and avoid sexual intercourse.

Avoid close contact with people with monkeypox, avoid direct contact with wounds, body fluids, droplets and objects and utensils contaminated with the pathogen. In case there is someone in your home or workplace who is infected or suspected of being infected, you need to notify the health authority for timely advice and treatment, do not self-treat.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control recommends that people traveling to countries where monkeypox is endemic (Central and West Africa) should avoid contact with mammals (dead or alive) such as rodents, marsupials, and primates that may contain monkeypox virus. When returning to Vietnam, they should proactively report to local health authorities for advice.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/trieu-chung-dau-tien-khi-mac-benh-dau-mua-khi-185231026170058983.htm