So I got comments that I have neglected to mention what I’m doing here (aside from what seems like a vacation) and what the hospital and patients are like. Despite my profuse writing about EVERYTHING else, I do have an actual function here.
My job: Clinical Research Site Coordinator
The disease: Monkeypox
The research: Characterization of monkeypox in humans
Ok, I know what you’re thinking…what does that mean...
My job is to maintain the research site, track the patients from enrollment to discharge, observe physical exams, supervise lab operations, run patient labs to a limited extent, scan a god awful amount of paperwork, and put out fires. At times I feel like a glorified maintenance man, which means everything is running smooth.
The patients we have run the gamut of demographics, male, female, infants, elderly, you name it. Some have only mild disease while others have severe symptoms which are crippling. Monkeypox falls into the same family as smallpox, which is why it is of interest. It is virtually clinically indistinguishable (though we are noticing otherwise here) and since smallpox has been ‘eradicated’, provides an excellent model for characterization and possible treatment. The virus progresses after initial contact (1-2 weeks) from headache, back ache, fever, and swollen lymphnodes to a rash. The rash has stages from a macule, papule, pustule, then they get crusty, scab over, and fall off. Patients can have a few spots or so many that the almost run together into what is called confluent lesions (one giant lesion). We have a 2 year old who is close to that and it is heartbreaking. His mother bathes him and he howls from the sores (they are painful). That being said, he smiles every time I show up with a jolly rancher.
Unfortunately, like smallpox and other orthopox viruses, there is no treatment or cure. This is the central issue, if you can analyze it, track its progression and symptoms, you can pave the way for treatment. The good news is that monkeypox is not as lethal as smallpox was, though the disease can appear as appalling. The patients stay at the monkeypox ward to separate them from the rest of the patients, but they come and go as they please.
Naturally, you’d think monkeypox comes from…..survey says…..monkeys! Well, I’d give you partial credit, but you failed to show your work! It turns out that that squirrels and a few other rodents carry it, as do prairie dogs. There was an outbreak in the US. Don’t believe me? Google it, then it has to be true, right? It is (as we can tell) transmitted by coming in contact with and/or eating dead or dying animals. This is problematic here, as a dead animal is seen by many as a gift from God. The carcass is promptly collected and taken home and prepared and served. WARNING: PERSONAL OPINION – From talking to the staff here and what I’ve seen, this is common with the kids. They will go out, play in the forest or hunt, and retrieve the remains of an animal. Education is a huge issue to curtail outbreaks.
Ok, so now you know. Go forth and share the wealth. Knowing is half the battle (I miss GI Joe!)
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