Smallpox

Naturally occurring smallpox was eradicated worldwide by 1980 due to a well coordinated worldwide vaccination campaign. It is a highly contagious, disfiguring and deadly disease caused by the variola virus. It is very deadly and it is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide.

Causes of Smallpox

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus. Once infected, the virus starts replicating inside the cells in the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow. It then settles in the blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes in the nose and throat.

When the lesions in the mouth burst, the virus is released and easily transmitted to others. Smallpox is often transmitted in air droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The airborne virus can be spread through the ventilation system in a building. It can also be spread through contaminated clothing and bedding.

There are two main types of smallpox:

1. Variola minor, and
2. Variola major

Hemorrhagic smallpox and flat smallpox are also rare forms of the condition.

Symptoms of Smallpox

The first smallpox symptoms appear 12 to 14 days after infection. There will be a 7 to seventeen day incubation period where one will feel healthy and cannot infect others. After the incubation period, a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms will occur. These include:

• Headache and fever,
• A feeling of discomfort,
• Severe back pain,
• Vomiting and diarrhea, or
• Severe fatigue

After this, a smallpox rash appears as flat, red spots. Within two days, the lesions turn into small blisters filled with clear fluid and later pus. The rash appears first in the face, hands, forearms and later on the trunk.

When the lesions erupt, the skin separates from its underlying layers instead of the skin breaking. Scabs will begin forming in these areas eight to nine days later, eventually falling off and leaving deep, pitted scars. These lesions are very painful and if not treated within two weeks can lead to death.

Treatment and Prevention of Smallpox

There is no cure for smallpox. Cidofovir, an antiviral medication, and the smallpox vaccine have been shown to prevent smallpox if given within the first two days of infection. However, once the signs and symptoms have started, they are not effective.

Since it is very contagious, most of those infected end up being isolated.

The smallpox vaccine is the best method used to prevent smallpox. It was introduced in 1967 and the vaccination program was so successful that by 1980, naturally occurring smallpox was eradicated. Some countries still keep the smallpox virus for research purposes as well as the small pox vaccination.

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