Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Faculty Member Rıdvan Dumlu from Medipol University Hospital stated that three-day fever, swollen lymph nodes, weakness and headache may be harbingers of monkeypox virus. Emphasizing that the process should be followed well, Dumlu advised that it is necessary to know the findings of the disease and if these findings are suspected, it should be checked for diagnosis.
Three-day fever, swollen lymph nodes, weakness and headache may be harbingers of monkeypox virus. Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Faculty Member Rıdvan Dumlu from Medipol Mega University Hospital explained the symptoms, transmission and prevention methods of the disease. Dumlu recommended that the patient should definitely go to the nearest health institution for control in case of symptoms.
12 cases in Turkey since 2022
Stating that the monkeypox virus is seen in humans and animals, Dumlu said, “It is usually transmitted through contact. The virus was first identified in Africa in the 1970s. Until 2022, it was generally endemic in Africa. In 2022, cases started to be reported from European countries, North American countries, Asia and Pacific countries, including our country. It was reported by the World Health Organization that it had become an epidemic. To a certain extent, the outbreak continued to be seen in different countries. On June 30, 2022, the first case was detected and reported by a team including myself. On August 12, 2022, the World Health Organization issued a warning report. The report warned that the number of cases in Africa had increased and that cases in other countries could also increase. From that day until today, 12 cases have been seen in our country.”
Incubation period is 14 days on average
Underlining that the disease is generally transmitted through contact, Dumlu said, “Monkeypox virus can be transmitted through direct contact with the patient, contact with the patient's clothes or contact with inanimate surfaces. The disease usually has an incubation period of 5 to 21 days. On average, we can accept 14 days. At the end of this, there is a period of 1 to 3 days that includes fever, swollen lymph nodes, weakness and headache. After this period, a rash period lasting 2 to 4 weeks begins. These lesions then crust over and the patient begins the healing process. It is a disease that can usually heal spontaneously. However, there are risk groups in which this disease is severe. Especially in people with immune problems, the process can be severe. These patient groups are generally treated with antiviral treatment.”
Prevention is possible
Explaining the methods of protection from the monkeypox virus, Dumlu said, “Since we know that the disease is transmitted by contact, we should avoid contact. We should definitely wash our hands after being in dense and crowded environments. In cases where we cannot wash our hands, we should clean our hands with alcohol-based disinfectants. Again, we should know the symptoms of the disease and if we suspect these symptoms, we should have our controls for diagnosis.”
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