Schmitt-Thompson Monkeypox Protocols Are Now Available For Nurse Triage
On July 23rd, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkey outbreak a public health emergency because of the rise in cases causing panic and confusion among people.
In response to that, Schmitt-Thompson released new monkeypox nurse triage protocols, to assess virus symptoms for patient callers.
Read on to learn more about this update, ways you can protect yourself and others from monkeypox, treatment and what to do if you get monkeypox.
What is included in monkeypox nurse triage guidelines?
Schmitt-Thompson guidelines, the gold standard in telephone triage, have been updated with two new adult protocols for addressing potential monkeypox cases.
The new protocols include “Diagnosed or Suspected” and “Exposure”, along with further guidelines on directing the patient to the appropriate path to care for the treatment based on those protocols.
Additionally, these two protocols have been added to both versions of the guidelines: daytime and after-hours. Like all other protocols, these protocols are designed to support the medical call centers in evaluating the acuity level of the patient’s symptoms and then determining the type of medical care the patient should seek.
How can I protect myself and others from monkeypox?
According to health experts, the risk of getting monkeypox to the general public is still low, but there are several precautions that you can take to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus.
There is an online guide published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which recommends the following protection regarding monkeypox:
- Avoid close contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
- Avoid contact with objects that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Practice good hand hygiene, and wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with animals that may have contracted the virus.
What should I do if I get monkeypox? Is there a treatment available?
The CDC says that there is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox, however most people with monkeypox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks without the need for medical treatment.
Antiviral drugs may be given to those who have severe symptoms or have a weak immune system.
However, there are several things recommended by the CDC that you can do at home to feel better:
- Pain relievers and fever reducers may help to relieve your symptoms.
- Cover your rash with gauze and bandages to avoid the spread to others.
- Stay at home, and avoid contact with others if you’re infected.
- Eat healthy, drink plenty of fluids and get a lot of rest.
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