Monkey Pox

 

Prathipati Manasa1, P. Latha theressa2

1M.Sc. Nursing NRI College of Nursing, Chinakakani, Guntur (DT), Andhra Pradesh.

2Professor NRI College of Nursing, Chinakakani, Guntur (DT), Andhra Pradesh.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: prathipatimanasa1997@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Monkey pox is a viral infection effecting humans and is transmitted through droplet infection from the effected person to the normal individual, and the effected person shows various symptoms and monkey pox disease can be confirmed by laboratory diagnosis and the management includes administration of antiviral medications and maintaining self care.

 

KEYWORDS: Monkey Pox, Viral infection.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

Monkeypox (MPV) was first identified in colonies of monkeys kept for research in 1958. It was only later detected in humans in 1970, the doctors named it as Monkeypox. Monkeypox is a viral Zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe, Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests, and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas. Animal hosts include a range of rodents and non-human primates. Monkey pox virus is a double stranded DNA virus belongs to orthopox virus which develops genus of the Poxviridae family. Human Monkeypox was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-month-old boy in a region where smallpox had been eliminated in 19682.

Mode of transmission:

Monkeypox is caused by a virus is related to one that causes smallpox, but Monkeypox disease is usually milder than smallpox.

 

The smallpox vaccine provides some protection against the monkeypox virus and monkeypox disease may be more likely to affect people who have never been vaccinated against smallpox. In people, monkeypox is spread through contact with an infected person's rash or bodily fluids, including respiratory droplets, Close personal contact, sexual or not, can cause a person to become infected. Monkeypox is a re-emerging disease that has caused multiple localized outbreaks since 20172.

·       Incubation period ranges from 5 to 21 days

·       Illness typically lasts for 2 to 4 weeks

·       Transmission modes airborne/ aerosol droplet and contact.

 

Signs and symptoms:

People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters (small bubble filled with fluid, which is round in shape) and may be painful or itchy1.

Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:

·       Fever

·       Chills

·       Swollen lymph nodes

·       Exhaustion

·       Myalgia and backache

·       Headache

·       Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

 

·       Symptoms typically last from 2 to 4 weeks.

 

Fig. 1: Person effected with monkey pox

 

Fig. 2: Monkey pox virus under microscope

 

While Monkeypox is usually self-limiting and typically spontaneously resolves within a few weeks, some individuals such as children, pregnant women and immune-compromised persons (HIV, TB) may experience serious health complications such as sepsis, encephalitis, ssecondary infections, bronchopneumonia, abscess and airway obstruction, corneal infection and vision loss, myocarditis, acute kidney infection.

 

Diagnostic Tests:

The diagnostic test for monkeypox virus is the Polymerase Chain Reaction most commonly known as PCR, the wound swab is collected with complete PPE in a sterile technique and the result reveals within 48 hours of swab collection2.

 

 

Management:

There is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox virus infection. However, there are several antiviral medications used to treat smallpox and other conditions that may help patients with monkeypox infection. Most cases of monkeypox are mild. Rest and home remedies including sitz baths, topical Vaseline, antihistamines (Benadryl) for itching, and pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), may be all you need to recover2.

 

CARE OF A PATIENT WITH MONKEYPOX:

Care for a patient with monkeypox is supportive. Place him in a negative-pressure room (preferably) or a private room and initiate contact, droplet, and airborne precautions. Use a face shield or goggles if splashing or spraying of body fluids might occur. Strictly follow infection control protocols for hand hygiene and disinfection or disposal of equipment and fomites.

If a patient with monkeypox is recovering at home, he should be isolated in his home; he should stay in a private room and minimize contact with others if he has respiratory symptoms or lesions that aren't easily covered. Teach his caregivers to follow strict hand hygiene and other infection control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment as appropriate.

 

Preventive measures:

To prevent infection of Monekypox advice patients and their families to

·       Don't share bedding, towels, or clothing, which may release airborne droplets.

·       Launder bedding and clothing with warm water in the washing machine and dryer. Bleach may be added, but isn't required.

·       Don't share dishes or eating utensils with the patient. Clean the patient's dishes and utensils as usual in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and warm water.

·       Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with a standard household disinfectant.

·       Place soiled dressings and disposable medical equipment in a plastic bag and place it in another container for disposal with the household trash3.

 

Complications of Monkeypox virus:

Complications from Monkeypox include:

·       Secondary skin infections

·       Pneumonia,

·       Confusion

·       Eye problems

·       keratitis

 

More recent complications include proctitis (sores and swelling inside the rectum that cause pain) and pain or difficulty when urinating.

 

Health education:

·       Vaccination against small pox virus

·       Prevention of droplet infection

·       Avoiding sexual contact

·       Stop sharing towels and all the personal items

·       Nutritious diet/ balanced diet

·       Disinfecting the area that infected person has contacted

·       Washing the dishes or plates, clothes of infected person separately

·       Using of PPE (mask) to prevent droplet infection4.

 

Dietary management:

Foods to be included in diet when a person get contacted with Monkeypox are:-

·       Intake of protein-rich foods like soy, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken, fish, sprouts, and yogurt, and protein is more beneficial for those suffering from Monkeypox.

·       Mint

·       Fresh basil

·       Bay leaves

·       Vitamin C rich diet like Papaya

·       Gut-healing probiotics, Adding gut-healing probiotics like garlic, onion, and banana will improve your overall health. You can also add raisins, curds, low fat paneer or anything that acts as a coolant to your diet.

·       Drinking water

 

Foods to be avoided during the symptoms of Monkeypox are:-

·       Avoid salty foods such as chips, instant packaged foods and ready soups.

·       Spicy foods such as chilli, pepper can irritate the digestive system and must not be included in the diet.

·       Excess alcohol, smoking, soda, caffeine, tea5

 

REFERENCES:

1.      WWW. Nationalnursesunited.com

2.      WWW.who.int

3.      WWW.cdc.gov

4.      WWW. asterhospitals.com

5.      WWW.springerlink.com

6.      http://timesof india.indiatimes.com

7.      WWW.healthshorts.com

8.      WWW.hindusthantimes.com

 

 

 

 

Received on 20.07.2024         Revised on 26.09.2024

Accepted on 30.10.2024         Published on 28.11.2024

Available online on December 31, 2024

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2024;3(4):158-160.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2024.38

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