by Dr Charles-Davies Omiete
If you have been following the news, it has been a few weeks since a rare viral disease has been dominating headlines in Nigeria.
A Monkeypox outbreak has caused a lot of people to ask for information about the disease.
Question about what causes it, its signs and symptoms and how it is treated are commonly asked.
The Government through the Ministry of Health has also assured Nigerians that the disease is being closely monitored and issued statements telling the public to be vigilant but calm.
So far, several people have been quarantined and are receiving treatment for Monkeypox in some Nigerian cities.
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus (a virus similar to smallpox and cowpox), and is spread by being in close contact with infected animals and humans. It causes symptoms like fever, headache, body pain and a rash that mainly affects the face.
Today, we would be looking at 5 key lessons everyone should learn to help in the prevention and control of this viral infection.
1. Not all fevers are caused by malaria.
If you ask a doctor around you, he or she would tell you that there is a widespread perception that once a person has a fever, it is either malaria or typhoid fever. This is very untrue. There are so many illnesses and conditions that can cause fevers and Monkeypox is one of them.
2. Self-medication is a bad idea.
Taking medications without discussing with your doctor is not a healthy practice and can, in fact, harm you. Doctors are trained to identify illnesses and treat them appropriately. It is important not to take drugs by your own prescription.
In the case of a Monkeypox outbreak or a similar illness, self-medication would mean that many cases of the viral infection would go unnoticed and unreported by health authorities and make the outbreak more difficult to control.
3. Be mindful of what you eat.
The main way monkeypox is transmitted is by close contact with infected animals. Close contact is not all about touching sick animals, it includes eating them.
Monkeypox has been reported in animals like rats, squirrels and monkeys. These animals should not be eaten during an outbreak as an infected one could pass the virus to a human who eats it.
We all know that ‘bushmeat’ is a delicacy in many parts of the country, but eating bushmeat is a really bad idea during this period.
4. Handwashing is a powerfully protective habit.
The role of handwashing in preventing diseases cannot be over-emphasized. According to the studies, up to a million deaths worldwide can be prevented if we all washed our hands appropriately.
Handwashing is very protective against many diseases including monkeypox. A proper handwash should last for 20 seconds. It should be done after visiting the toilet or touching animals and before activities like eating and cooking.
5. Follow the happenings around you.
During any disease outbreak, it is very important to be informed. You can’t afford not to read or listen to latest developments about the spread or control of the disease.
The government sends out updates about the reported cases and even when previously infected people are discharged from hospitals. So, this period you should check out for updates and read as many news related articles you can find about monkeypox to stay healthy.
Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija
Dr Charles-Davies Omiete is a registered medical doctor and founder of 25 Doctors, a platform where you can ask doctors questions online.
Read » Opinion: 5 key things to know about the Monkeypox outbreak on YNaija
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