Health & Beauty

Symptoms of Monkeypox in Children That Parents Must See

Monkeypox is currently an epidemic that is being wary of in the world, including in Indonesia. This outbreak became a concern when the International Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox to be an International Health Emergency.

Quoting from the official WHO website, monkeypox itself is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic infection, which means it can spread from animals to humans and from humans to humans.

Now the question, especially for parents, can their children get monkeypox? The American Academic of Pediatrics (AAP) answered ‘yes’, children can be infected with monkeypox if they come into contact with someone who is infected, the child can be infected.

Is Monkeypox Dangerous for Babies and Children?

Monkeypox is included in the category of rare diseases. Most people infected with this disease get better on their own without treatment. No one has died from the current outbreak, but more serious complications, including pneumonia and infections of the brain or eyes, can occur.

According to the Central for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children, especially those under the age of 8, and pregnant women are at increased risk of severe disease. People who are immunocompromised and those with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema are also at greater risk when infected.

Symptoms of Monkeypox in Babies and Children

The rash is the most common symptom of monkeypox, and can look similar to the rashes more commonly seen in children, including rashes caused by chickenpox, herpes, allergic skin rash and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Usually, the disease lasts for two to four weeks.

The rash starts as red spots and then develops into a lump, after a while the lump will have fluid in it. Over time, these lumps will deflate to dry and leave a scab. Other common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle and back pain, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue.

How is Monkeypox Contagious in Children?

Launching from Whattoexpect.com, the monkeypox virus can spread in several ways, including through:

Direct contact with rashes, scabs or body fluids
Prolonged face-to-face contact (via respiratory particles in the air)[5]Intimate physical contact, including kissing, hugging, and sex
Contaminated items, such as clothing or bedding, that have previously been in contact with infectious rashes or body fluids
Placenta (from pregnant woman to fetus)
Infected animals, including being scratched or bitten by an animal or preparing or eating contaminated meat
“Children will catch it through close contact and inanimate objects – toys, pillows,” predicts Dr. Rejeev Fernando, infectious disease doctor. However, monkeypox takes longer to spread through face-to-face contact compared to COVID-19. Unlike COVID, where humans can be exposed in 15 minutes, this virus does not spread easily.

What Should Parents Do To Prevent Monkeypox In Children?

Experts say that everyone, including the elderly, children and pregnant women can minimize the risk of contracting monkeypox by doing the following:

1. Avoid direct contact with infected or suspected people

If someone you know may have monkeypox or have a rash that looks like monkeypox, do not touch the rash or scabs. Likewise, avoid close skin-to-skin contact (such as hugging); do not share utensils or cups; and do not touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of an infected person.

2. Diligently wash your hands

Frequent hand washing remains the key to preventing most infections, including this one. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

3. Consult a doctor

Call the doctor if the family child has had contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox. Likewise, parents should notify them if any family members develop acne or blistering rashes or other monkeypox-like symptoms. Health care providers can confirm cases of monkeypox by testing tissue and/or blood samples. For now, try not to stress too much about monkeypox.

“It’s unlikely at this point that you’ll be exposed simply because the numbers are so low,” says Gina Posner, a board-certified pediatrician in Fountain Valley, California.

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