Monkeypox: What To Advise Your Patients

Monkeypox is a serious illness that caused an outbreak across the United States in 2022. This disease is endemic in several African countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

The monkeypox virus can be transmitted through close contact with infected people or animals. Although there are no specific treatments for monkeypox patients, smallpox vaccines are now widely used to protect people against the disease.

Proper handling of monkeypox patients and giving the correct advice are vital roles of healthcare professionals in eradicating monkeypox. You must provide accurate information to your patients to help them protect themselves and the people around them against monkeypox.

Here are some important advice you can give your patients, like monkeypox prevention, treating a monkeypox patient at home, and what they should do when having monkeypox symptoms.

What’s In The Article?

• Is Monkeypox Dangerous?

• Is Monkeypox Curable?

• How To Prevent Monkeypox?

• How To Treat a Monkeypox Patient At Home?

• What To Advise Patients With Monkeypox Symptoms?

• Is Reinfection With Monkeypox Possible?

• What Are The Complications Of Having Monkeypox?

• Final Thoughts

Is Monkeypox Dangerous?

Yes, monkeypox can be dangerous, especially to those high-risk people such as children, newborn babies, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the monkeypox type identified in this outbreak can rarely cause fatal infections, and about 99% of infected people are likely to recover.

Is Monkeypox Curable?

Yes, monkeypox is curable. Although there is no specific treatment for this disease, monkeypox is self-limiting, and patients can recover within two to four weeks. Monkeypox vaccines are also available and are effective in preventing the disease.

How To Prevent Monkeypox?

Healthcare workers administer vaccines to help people protect themselves against the virus. Here are some preventive measures that should be followed to protect oneself from getting monkeypox.

Get Vaccinated

Vaccines are effective when they are administered properly. People who are considered high-risk are encouraged to get a vaccination. Those who have been in close contact with suspected or confirmed cases should be vaccinated to prevent monkeypox. This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These people also include healthcare personnel and laboratory workers. Check out your government’s official website or talk to your healthcare providers to learn about the vaccination process in your area.

Avoid Prolonged Exposure With A Suspected Person

Avoid interacting with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. You should also avoid sexual or intimate contact with someone who doesn't feel well. Avoid skin-to-skin contact and wear a protective mask when having a conversation with people. Healthcare workers should wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when treating monkeypox patients.

Practice Good Hygiene

Always wash your hands and use alcohol-based sanitizer after touching surfaces or having skin-to-skin contact with people, such as handshaking. If possible, do not share things with other people, like towels and clothing. It would help if you also disinfect your home and vehicles regularly.

How To Treat A Monkeypox Patient At Home?

Implementation of home isolation for monkeypox patients should consider several factors, such as the presence of high-risk people like children and pregnant women in the home. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for monkeypox patients undergoing proper home isolation.

• Regular hand hygiene is a must. Patients and other household members can use alcohol-based sanitizer, soap, and water for hand hygiene.

• Routinely use EPA-registered disinfectant to disinfect areas and surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus. Carefully read and follow the product’s instructions when using disinfectants.

• Avoid having visitors over. Patients should also avoid close contact with others and with pets in the home.

• Sharing contaminated items, such as eating utensils and drinking glasses, is discouraged.

• Avoid using contact lenses to prevent infecting the eyes.

• Avoid shaving rash-covered areas to limit the spread of rashes to other body parts.

• Use a separate bathroom if possible. If no separate bathrooms are available, bathroom surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Disposable gloves are recommended while cleaning if the patient has rashes on the hands.

• Wear long sleeves or long pants to cover lesions. If close contact is unavoidable, especially when receiving medical care, make sure to wear a well-fitting mask and gloves.

• Avoid contaminating upholstered furniture and other porous materials that cannot be laundered by placing coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over these surfaces.

What To Advise Patients With Monkeypox Symptoms?

Monkeypox is a serious illness that can spread from person to person. With this in mind, people should know how to care for themselves and others around them to prevent it from spreading. According to CDC, here are some things you can advise patients with monkeypox symptoms.

• Isolate and avoid close contact. Patients should stay away from other people to prevent monkeypox from spreading. Do not share things with others, including those they have touched or used, such as utensils, clothes, and dishes.

• Notify possible close contacts. Notify people they have close contact with as soon as possible about their condition so they can monitor for any symptoms and consider getting tested. Their close contact can be anyone with whom they have shared items, hugged, kissed, or had sexual intercourse.

• Cooperate with the authorities. Suspected individuals should talk to healthcare officials and tell them their symptoms. They should follow their instructions and cooperate with them during testing procedures.

• Treat symptoms. Use bondage to cover rashes to prevent them from spreading. Rashes can be itchy, but scratching them should be avoided. Keep skin lesions clean. Wash hands more often with soap and water but be careful not to irritate the rashes. Eat healthy foods and take plenty of rest.

Is Reinfection With Monkeypox Possible?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that no current studies can prove immunity after recovering from the disease. Even if you have already gotten infected in the past, you should still take preventive measures to protect yourself.

What Are The Complications Of Having Monkeypox?

According to WHO, people who have had monkeypox can get complications like secondary infections, sepsis, encephalitis, pneumonia, and eye problems.

Final Thoughts

Proper education can help people learn and understand this outbreak. Monkeypox is not a new disease, and vaccines are available. While it is less contagious than COVID-19, there is no excuse not to be vigilant and cautious. People should stay alert and always be aware of public health advisories. By giving them proper advice and information, you, as a healthcare professional, are helping save lives and the world.