19.08.2024 16:40
The Ministry of Health has shared frequently asked questions and answers about the M-Flu outbreak that has alarmed the whole world. Symptoms, transmission route, treatment... Here are the most frequently asked questions about the outbreak that is causing concern worldwide...
The topics of interest about the M-Flower virus have been compiled by the Ministry of Health. 11 questions about the disease have been answered by experts and informative content has been shared on the Ministry of Health's social media accounts.
The Ministry of Health has answered frequently asked questions about the M-Flower virus. The informative report prepared by experts in the "M-Flower Guide" includes information about the disease, how it is transmitted, and its symptoms.
Here are the answers to 11 questions about the M-Flower disease prepared by the Ministry of Health:
1) What is M-Flower?
- M-Flower is a rare viral zoonotic disease (a virus transmitted from animals to humans) that, although clinically milder, has symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients and can also be transmitted from person to person. After the declaration of the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the cessation of smallpox vaccination, M-Flower has become a rare disease, especially in Central and West Africa.
2) When should I get tested for M-Flower?
- Those who suspect that they have M-Flower or have close contact with someone who has M-Flower should seek medical attention and decide whether or not to be tested. If your doctor decides that you need to be tested, they will take samples and send them to a suitable laboratory for testing.
3) What are the symptoms of M-Flower?
- The symptoms of M-Flower are usually Fever, Headache, Muscle and back pain, Swollen lymph nodes, Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough), and characteristic skin rashes specific to the disease.
4) What should I do if I have symptoms?
- If you notice a new or unexplained skin rash or other symptoms of M-Flower, seek medical attention. Avoid close contact with others, including sexual contact, until you seek medical attention. Avoid close contact with pets or other animals until you seek medical attention. If you are waiting for test results, continue to follow the same precautions. If your test result is positive, continue to isolate yourself and follow other precautions until your skin rashes have scabbed and healed, and you have a clean and healthy skin appearance. If you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough, continue to isolate yourself. Only go out to see a doctor or for emergencies. Avoid using public transportation. If you need to come out of isolation, cover your skin rashes and wear a well-fitting mask.
5) How is M-Flower transmitted?
- M-Flower can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with skin rashes, scabs, or body fluids. It can also spread during prolonged, close contact or sexual contact (such as kissing, hugging, or sexual intercourse). A person with M-Flower can transmit the virus to others until their skin rashes have completely healed and a clean and healthy skin appearance has formed. Some patients can transmit M-Flower 1 to 4 days before symptoms begin. However, there is no evidence that asymptomatic individuals can transmit the virus.
6) Is M-Flower a sexually transmitted disease?
- M-Flower can be defined as a sexually transmitted disease. In other words, sexual intercourse is only one of the ways M-Flower can be transmitted. In the past, M-Flower outbreaks occurred through direct contact with infected animals and animal products, but transmission from person to person was limited. In the current outbreak, the virus is primarily transmitted through close contact. It can be transmitted through contact with lesions or respiratory secretions during sexual contact. However, prolonged and close skin contact with someone with M-Flower without sexual intercourse can also lead to transmission of the virus.
7) How can M-Flower be prevented?
- Avoid close skin contact with individuals who have a suspected skin rash of M-Flower. Avoid contact with items and materials used by M-Flower patients. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Practice good hand hygiene, especially before eating, touching your face, and after using the toilet.
8) Should I be concerned about attending crowded events?
- Transmission can occur through close contact or skin contact with someone with M-Flower. Initial findings indicate that events involving close, continuous skin contact contribute to M-Flower cases. If you plan to attend an event, consider the amount of close, personal skin contact that will occur.
9) What treatments are available for M-Flower?
- There is no specific treatment for M-Flower. However, due to genetic similarities between viruses, antiviral drugs used to treat smallpox can be used in the treatment of M-Flower, although their effectiveness has not been fully proven.
10) Can my pet be infected with M-Flower?
- M-Flower is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. However, currently, pets do not pose a high risk for M-Flower.
11) Can M-Flower be transmitted through water from a pool, hot tub, or water park?
- There is no clear evidence that M-Flower can be transmitted through water in pools, hot tubs, or water parks. However, it is possible for the virus to be transmitted through close contact and skin contact. The disease can be transmitted to a healthy person who uses items such as towels, diving boards, pool toys, or clothing that have been used by a person with M-Flower. Disinfection and proper chlorination of recreational water facilities eliminate the risk of M-Flower virus transmission.