How to recognize monkeypox

Recently, the HCMC Department of Health confirmed that the city has recorded the first suspected case of monkeypox in Vietnam through epidemiological surveillance. The HCMC Department of Health also said it is currently coordinating with the relevant units to strengthen surveillance, detect cases early and prevent spread. Below are some signs for recognizing monkeypox.

The stages of the disease

Monkeypox is divided into 4 stages:

Incubation stage of 5 to 21 days: The infected person has no symptoms and is not able to transmit the disease to those around them

Onset stage of 1 to 5 days: The patient shows signs of fever and generalized peripheral lymph node swelling, often accompanied by headache, fatigue, chills, sore throat, muscle pain… The virus can spread to others during this stage.

Full-blown stage of 1 to 3 days after the fever: Rashes appear on the person's skin, which may occur on the face, palms, soles, mouth or genitals. At first only flat rashes appear, then they progress into blisters containing fluid inside (pus). With good treatment, these blisters will gradually scab over and fade away, and may leave scars.

Recovery stage: The symptoms can last from 2 to 4 weeks and then resolve on their own. Scars on the skin may affect appearance but there is no longer a risk of infection.

II. The forms of monkeypox

Asymptomatic form: The person is infected with the virus but has no symptoms at all

Mild form: The symptoms usually disappear after 2-4 weeks. Treated by:

Reducing fever and pain

Caring for lesions of the skin, eyes, mouth…

Preventing and controlling infection

Severe form: Must be treated in an isolation room in the intensive care unit according to treatment protocols

III. What to do when you have symptoms of monkeypox?

When you have signs suspected of monkeypox infection, you should go to the nearest medical facility for examination and check-up promptly to detect the disease and treat it.

For monkeypox patients who are not hospitalized, please note:

Isolate medically at home until the lesions have healed, the scabs have fallen off and a whole, fresh new layer of skin has formed.

Avoid direct physical contact with other people and animals

Do not share items that may be contaminated, such as fabrics, towels, clothes, drinking glasses or eating utensils, and also clean and disinfect surfaces and items that are frequently touched

Wear a mask if you need to be in close contact with other people in the house

Source:

Jezek Z, Grab B, Szczeniowski MV, et al: Human monkeypox: secondary attack rates. Bull World Health Organ 66(4):465-70, 1988. PMID: 2844429; PMCID: PMC2491159.

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