Be aware of monkeypox, a preventable disease. no panic

Smallpox or monkeypox (Mpox) is an epidemic that is currently spreading to many countries around the world. And it has been declared by the World Health Organization as an international public health emergency at this time. For Thailand, the first patient with smallpox was diagnosed in July 2022, and the first patient with the clade 1 strain was diagnosed in August.

Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health Report on the situation of the infectious disease monkeypox It contains information on people who have been infected with smallpox up to September 6, 2024, indicating that a total of 835 people have been infected with smallpox, divided into 814 males, accounting for more than 97 percent, and 21 females, accounting for more than 97 It was 2.51 percent In addition, the most infected people were found in the age group of 30 – 39 years, when the infected people were divided according to nationality. 749 people were found to be from Thailand.

Dr. Jitfa Lurungroj, a physician specializing in preventive medicine Area of ​​travel and tourism medicine Praram Hospital 9 provides information that smallpox is a disease caused by the Mpox virus, which is a virus in the same group as human smallpox or smallpox. The disease was first discovered in monkeys in 1958. It was later discovered that the disease can spread from animals to humans. The first case of monkeypox was found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central Africa. Most monkeypox occurs in countries in Central and West Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, the Republic of Benin. and the Republic of Sierra Leone, etc.

“Monkeypox” is also a disease found in monkeys and rodents such as rats, squirrels and rabbits. touching animal carcasses eating uncooked meat which can be transmitted from person to person through close contact with sick people touching pustules and secretions having sex with a sick person talking in close proximity with sharing items with patients, such as clothes, towels, bedclothes, drinking glasses, for the 2022 outbreak they found that more than 90 percent of MSM patients contracted the disease through sex. So, people who have more than one sexual partner or have sex with someone they don’t know. Especially the MSM group Considered a group at high risk of being infected.

“For patients infected with the “Little Bit” virus it takes between 6-21 days before symptoms start. It starts with a fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, body aches, and headache in the first 3-5 days, after which a raised red rash begins. Found on the face, arms, legs, hands, mouth, body, and genitals. or anal area which is an area that is touched After that, the raised red rash will turn into clear blisters filled with fluid, pustules, and finally it will break into scabs and gradually after infection, it will the patient is able to recover from the disease within 2-4 weeks,” said Dr. Jitfa Ruungrot.

Prof. Sisiopin Kiatburanakul Infectious Disease Pathologist Department of Internal Medicine Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University He revealed that there is still no officially approved antiviral drug for smallpox A drug used for smallpox is a treatment. Current treatment therefore focuses on symptomatic treatment. To relieve various symptoms of diseased people

Regarding the treatment of obstructions Salt can be used Wound dressings containing iodine (iodine) as well as ointments for wound dressings In addition, during the period pus flows from the wound. You should use soft saline in gauze for about 5 minutes, at least 3-5 times a day. To prevent infection You should not pick or scratch the wound. And when the flakes fall off Can the marks disappear naturally. Apply medication to treat dark spots and redness and they can also use a laser to reduce scars.

However, there is a vaccine to prevent infection This can be done both before and after close contact with people who are at risk of smallpox. It should be injected within 4 days and no later than 14 days after exposure. To help reduce the risk and severity of disease. If a person is considered to be in a high-risk group, such as a person in close contact with a patient with smallpox or traveling from countries where it has spread, the vaccine should be obtained to prevent infection .

“Pre-exposure vaccination against smallpox is not necessary for everyone. Recommended only for those at risk. 2 weeks after the second injection.

For the question: If you received the smallpox vaccine in the past, is it necessary to get the smallpox vaccine again? and if it is suspected that they are in a group at risk Although there has been a vaccine It is still recommended to get a vaccine. You can register for vaccination at the Saowapha Institute and the AIDS Research Center of the Thai Red Cross Society. To create a proper knowledge and understanding of the virus,” concluded Prof. Dr. Sassiopin.