Disease stigmatization can be an obstacle to control; High fever and swollen nodes are warning signs – Jornal do Oeste

In addition to sexual contact, kissing, massage, and physical contact sports can also transmit the virus.

Accountant Thiago Light had just spent his vacation in New York. He arrived in Brazil on Sunday and the following Thursday he was already suffering from a high temperature. The first suspect was the flu. He was taking the medication he always used in these cases, but the fever persisted. The next day, in addition to the fever, sores appeared on the genitals and sores on the groin. With these symptoms, he had no doubts and sought medical attention.

“When I had a fever, I thought I had the flu. Flight fatigue, climate change, everything ends up in favor of this. But when the wounds appeared I freaked out and went to the emergency room. The doctor did not identify the lesions as an STD and immediately alerted the pathologist. Contagious. That’s when the suspicion of monkeypox arose,” says Thiago.

The first case of monkeypox, or monkeypox, was recorded in Brazil in June, and today there are more than 3,700 people infected with the disease, more than 4,000 suspects and one death has been confirmed in Minas Gerais. The main signs are muscle aches, headache, chills, high and persistent fever, and swollen lymph nodes. “It is important to be aware of the symptoms of the disease and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition to medication, isolation is necessary for seven days”, explains infectious disease specialist at Marcelino Champagne Hospital, Camila Arens. “It is a disease that is already stigmatized and we have to change that,” he asserts.

How do you protect yourself from disease?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), transmission of the virus occurs through close contact with an infected person, especially with these pests. It is also possible for the virus to be transmitted through respiratory secretions, body fluids, or objects, fabrics, and surfaces that an infected person uses.

“Many believe that transmission only occurs through sexual activity, but kissing, massage, and physical sports with people who have the pests can also transmit monkeypox,” the infectious disease specialist emphasizes.

Vaccines

From September, the vaccines will be delivered to Brazil in three batches. Doses will be directed to health professionals who have direct contact with infected patients. In all, 25,000 people will be vaccinated, considering that two doses are needed to complete the course of the vaccine. The units will be produced by the Bavarian Nordic Laboratory, which made 100,000 doses available to Latin America.

From the central press