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Monkey disease (monkeypox) is rocking the health world. A few days ago the Singapore government confirmed the findings of the first case of monkey smallpox infection in the country. This disease is suffered by Nigerians who have just arrived from their home countries. People also need to recognize what are the symptoms of monkey pox, so they can take preventive measures.
Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus and is transmitted from animals to humans. This disease can be transmitted through contact with blood, body fluids, skin or mucous lesions of infected animals. Human infection can occur through the handling of infected monkeys, giant Gambia mice and Gambia squirrels.
However, the official website of the World Health Organization (WHO) writes that transmission to humans is very limited. Transmission through respiratory fluid particles requires long-term interface contact so that the disease usually only spreads to family members.
Then what are the symptoms of monkey pox that need to be recognized.
The following are the initial symptoms of this disease:
Fever
Fever is a non-specific symptom of a viral infection. A person who has monkey pox will experience the initial symptoms of fever.
Usually a fever arises before a skin rash appears. Fever is a sign that the body's immune system is carrying out its function as a defense against viruses that enter the human body.
Fever is one of the early symptoms of monkeypox. The incubation period of this disease is 6-16 days, which means that symptoms of fever can occur in the range of 6-16 days since a person is infected with this virus.
Skin rash
Skin rashes usually appear starting from the face and then spread elsewhere in the body. This lesion can undergo a change in shape, starting from the papule (solid lump), then turning into a vesicle (bubble filled with fluid), until finally followed by formation of crust on the skin. Symptoms on the skin usually occur within 1-3 days after the onset of fever.
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes are one of the early symptoms of monkeypox. Swollen lymph nodes can occur due to the development of the body's defense system, in the form of white blood cells in various lymph nodes in the human body.
Some locations of lymph nodes are the armpits, neck and groin. As the body's condition improves from the symptoms of monkeypox, the enlargement of the gland will also decrease.
Muscle ache
Muscle pain is a common symptom experienced in viral infections. Symptoms of muscle pain, or familiarly known as myalgia, are caused by inflammation of the muscles due to viruses circulating in the human body. Because of the occurrence of severe inflammation, monkeypox sufferers will feel the muscles that are painful and the body feels feverish.
Read also : Hemiparesis: Muscle weakness on one body
Headache
If a person has monkeypox, he also usually complains of headaches. Headaches occur due to various compounds released by the body during the inflammation process, to fight infection.
However, these symptoms will usually disappear along with the improvement of viral infections. Medication for the paracetamol group is also beneficial in relieving headaches and fever in patients with viral infections.
WHO calls on people in monkeypox endemic areas to avoid contact with primates and rodents. Always use protective clothing, such as gloves when in contact with animals suspected of carrying the monkeypox virus.
This action needs to be supported by all levels of society by recognizing the various symptoms of monkey pox. If you experience or encounter signs as described above, immediately check with your doctor to get the right treatment.
