How Worried Should You Be about Monkeypox in Malaysia?

After more than two years of seeing coronavirus updates in the news, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared a new global health emergency for monkeypox. As of 2 August 2022, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported no cases of monkeypox in Malaysia.

A total of 14 monkeypox cases are in Southeast Asia, with no reported deaths so far. Learning from the recent pandemic, researchers have been working to figure out what the virus mutations are to curb infection rates.

Should you be worried about monkeypox in Malaysia? If you’re getting ready to travel or engage in public settings, you may have several questions and concerns. It’s important to know the origin and symptoms of the disease to avoid confusion.

Monkeypox Explained

Monkeypox is a rare infection caused by the monkeypox virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It’s similar to smallpox, only with less severe symptoms. However, it is not related to chickenpox, which is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus. 

The virus was first discovered in 1958 when an outbreak occurred in laboratory monkeys. The first human outbreak was recovered in 1970. Since then, most cases have occurred in people around central and western African countries.

Monkeypox Symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox symptoms begin three weeks after initial exposure to the virus. The first signs would be flu-like symptoms, such as: 

• Chills 
• Fever 
• Fatigue 

• Body aches 
• Headache 
• Swollen lymph nodes 

After a few days, a rash may develop. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine determines skin rashes to be the most common symptom of monkeypox. The rash can be present with lesions. In most cases, inflamed skin appears anywhere on the body, including the mouth, vagina, and anus.

In comparison to the itchy blisters of chickenpox, monkeypox is characterised by painful, flat, red bumps that may turn into pus-filled blisters. After a few weeks, these blisters crust over and dry out. 

Do keep in mind that not everyone will experience the same symptoms. In fact, the current 2022 monkeypox outbreak isn’t following the current pattern of symptoms. Additionally, a new study in London reports rectal pain and penile swelling as unprecedented symptoms of monkeypox. 

Several infected people may only have a few lesions with no swollen lymph nodes. Meanwhile, others may have lesions followed by symptoms, and others only experience a rash. 

Is there monkeypox in Malaysia? 

The virus is highly infectious as it spreads from person to person through close contact. You can contract it by coming into contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing, rash, scabs, and even objects they have touched.

The virus can also be spread by encountering infected animals, such as rodents and primates.

It’s best to wear your mask indoors and practise physical distancing to deal with monkeypox in Malaysia and if you’re travelling to other countries with reported cases. Use a zero-touch tool which can help you open doors and click buttons without touching commonly used surfaces. Avoid interacting with wildlife and ensure to eat fully cooked meat and poultry products.

Is it deadly? 

Monkeypox has a low fatality rate, ranging from 1% to 10%. At the time of writing this article, India has reported Asia’s first monkeypox death. In rare cases, the infection can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. These include brain infections, pneumonia, and eye infections. 

What to Do If You Catch Monkeypox

Firstly, check for symptoms. See If there is a swollen area around your neck and jaw. Swollen lymph nodes usually distinguish monkeypox symptoms from other viruses. Then, update your health status on the MySejahtera app and visit the nearest hospital. Your doctor will perform tests to rule out measles or chickenpox. They will take a sample from an open sore or lesion for a proper diagnosis. You may also undergo a blood test.

According to the CDC, there’s no specific treatment for monkeypox. Your doctor may recommend tecovirimat (TPOXX), an antiviral drug that may help prevent you from getting severely ill. Other treatments will focus on managing your symptoms.

In most cases, no treatment is necessary as the virus will run its course within two to four weeks. Because there’s no monkeypox vaccine in Malaysia or other countries, another option would be getting the smallpox vaccine, which has an 85% efficacy against the virus.

Monkeypox in Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice 

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, monkeypox is an acute infection of contagious exogenous pathogens that bears the characteristics of Wind, Fire, and Dampness.

Real Health Senior TCM physician Brandon Yew says, “The organ that is mainly affected is the Lungs, which oversee the health of the respiratory tract and skin. This explains the respiratory flu-like symptoms and characteristic skin rash when one is infected with the monkeypox virus. Other organs that may be affected in severe cases are the Heart, Spleen, and Liver.” 

How Can TCM Help with Monkeypox Symptoms? 

TCM can effectively manage monkeypox symptoms and help with recovery through herbal medication, acupuncture, and blood-letting.

However, Physician Yew explains that a licensed practitioner should formulate each treatment and medication. A patient may need different treatments as each person has a unique body constitution. Do bear in mind that the herbal formulas provided are meant for varying pathological states of monkeypox and post-disease.

Herbal formulas to try if symptoms persist 

TCM remedies can supplement the prescribed medications from your doctor for monkeypox treatments. Below are some TCM herbal formulas that can help manage monkeypox symptoms during an acute infection:  

• Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang (升麻葛根汤) – dispels Wind and Fire toxins from the Lungs and Skin  

• Xie Huang San (泻黄散) – alleviates Dampness and Fire toxins from the Lungs, Skin and Spleen  
• Sheng Jiang San (升降散) – purges Wind, Fire toxins, Phlegm, Stagnated Qi, and Blood clots from the Lungs, Skin, and Liver  
• Zi Xue San (紫雪散) – dispels Fire toxins, Dampness and Stagnated Qi from the Lungs and Skin, and soothes the Heart and Liver  
• Qing Ying Tang (清营汤) – neutralises Fire toxins and Blood clots from the Heart; replenishes Yin to nourish and calm the Heart and Liver  
• Sheng Ma Bie Jia Tang (升麻鳖甲汤) – dispels Fire toxins and Blood clots from the Lungs, Skin, Heart, and Liver  

• Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang (宣白承气汤) – purges Fire toxins and Phlegm from the Lungs and Skin  

Herbal formulas for post-recovery 

Below are some TCM herbal formulas that can help you regain energy, clear any lingering symptoms, and boost your immune system:  

• Sheng Mai San (生脉散) – replenishes lost Qi and Yin energies of the Lungs and Heart  

• Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (香砂六君子汤) – regenerates Spleen Qi; dispels residual Dampness and Phlegm  
• Qin Jiao Bie Jia San (秦艽鳖甲散) – dispels residual Fire and regenerates lost Yin to nourish the Lungs, Heart, and Liver  
• Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (补阳还五汤) – dispels residual Blood clots and regenerates Qi of the Lungs, Spleen, and Heart  
• Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) – replenishes lost Qi and Blood of the Lungs, Heart, Spleen, and Liver  

According to Physician Yew, “All of the herbal remedies listed can individually address the various symptoms of monkeypox. Each corresponds to the different pathological combinations and states underlying the virus.” 

Try stimulating acupressure points 

It’s a costless self-remedy you can do at home. Start by placing your fingers at specific acupoints. Apply an appropriate amount of pressure to elicit a tolerable sensation of soreness or tenderness. At the same time, massage in both clockwise and anticlockwise circular motions, 20 times each. Repeat for at least three minutes per acupoint.

The acupoints that might help are:  

• To relieve fever – Chi ze (LU5, 尺泽), qu chi (LI11, 曲池), he gu (LI4, 合谷), nei guan (PC 6, 内关), xue hai (SP10, 血海), and tai chong (LR3, 太冲) 

• For a sore throat – Chi ze (LU5, 尺泽), qu chi (LI11, 曲池), and he gu (LI4, 合谷) 

• To reduce skin lesions – Chi ze (LU5, 尺泽), qu chi (LI11, 曲池), nei guan (PC6, 内关), xue hai (SP10, 血海), yin ling quan (SP9, 阴陵泉), and tai chong (LR3, 太冲) 

• For body aches – Qu chi (LI11, 曲池), he gu (LI4, 合谷), xue hai (SP10, 血海), yin ling quan (SP9, 阴陵泉), and zu san li (ST36, 足三里) 

• For headaches – Qu chi (LI11, 曲池), he gu (LI4, 合谷), and tai chong (LR3, 太冲) 

• To alleviate fatigue – He gu (LI4, 合谷), nei guan (PC6, 内关), Yin Ling Quan (SP9, 阴陵泉), and zu san li (ST36, 足三里) 

• To enhance appetite – Nei guan (PC6, 内关), yin ling quan (SP9, 阴陵泉), and zu san li (ST36, 足三里) 

Do take note that acupressure provides very mild symptomatic relief. As most people suffering from monkeypox have skin rashes, gently apply pressure to the points to avoid wounding the skin. 

As long as you follow precautions, monkeypox in Malaysia should not be a cause of panic. There’ll be more updates coming from local authorities and researchers, of course. But until then, the best approach to prevent being infected is doing what you have been doing these past two years: wearing a face mask when in public areas, practising good hygiene and keeping an eye on your health. If you feel you have more than two symptoms stated above, we strongly recommend you seek professional medical help from a medical doctor or a certified TCM practitioner.

This is an adaptation of an article, “All You Need to Know About Monkeypox”, which first appeared on the All Things Health’s US website.