SMALLPOXSMALLPOX

DON’T YOU WISH THAT YOU DON’T YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD STILL GET IT!!!COULD STILL GET IT!!!

By: Kristen KaehlerBy: Kristen Kaehler

What is it ???What is it ???

Smallpox is a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly Smallpox is a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease caused by the variola virus. disease caused by the variola virus.

Once you're infected, the virus immediately begins Once you're infected, the virus immediately begins replicating inside your cells — first in the lymph nodes and replicating inside your cells — first in the lymph nodes and then in your spleen and bone marrow. then in your spleen and bone marrow.

Eventually, the virus settles in the blood vessels in your skin Eventually, the virus settles in the blood vessels in your skin and the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. and the mucous membranes of your nose and throat.

When the lesions in your mouth slough off, large amounts of When the lesions in your mouth slough off, large amounts of virus are released into your saliva. This is when you're most virus are released into your saliva. This is when you're most likely to transmit the disease to others. likely to transmit the disease to others.

How is it spread?How is it spread?

Smallpox usually requires face-to-face contact Smallpox usually requires face-to-face contact to spread. It's most often transmitted in air to spread. It's most often transmitted in air droplets when an infected person coughs, droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. In rare instances, airborne sneezes or talks. In rare instances, airborne virus may spread further, possibly through the virus may spread further, possibly through the ventilation system in a building, infecting ventilation system in a building, infecting people in other rooms or on other floors. people in other rooms or on other floors. Smallpox can also spread through contact with Smallpox can also spread through contact with contaminated clothing and bedding, although contaminated clothing and bedding, although the risk of infection from these sources is the risk of infection from these sources is slight. slight.

Two main typesTwo main types

Variola minorVariola minor

Less fatal, less than I% of people Less fatal, less than I% of people who contract it actually diewho contract it actually die

Variola majorVariola major

Kills one-third of people who Kills one-third of people who contracted this disease contracted this disease

Rare formsRare forms

Hermorrhagic smallpoxHermorrhagic smallpox Characterized by red, pinpoint rash and Characterized by red, pinpoint rash and

bleeding in the skin and mucous membrane.bleeding in the skin and mucous membrane. Almost always fatal within 3 to 4 daysAlmost always fatal within 3 to 4 days

Flat smallpoxFlat smallpox Same as other forms of the disease, but the Same as other forms of the disease, but the

lesions never fill with pus. Skin appears lesions never fill with pus. Skin appears rubbery. There is bleeding in the skin and rubbery. There is bleeding in the skin and intestinal tract.intestinal tract.

Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms

During the incubation period of seven to 17 days, you During the incubation period of seven to 17 days, you look and feel healthy and can't infect others. The first look and feel healthy and can't infect others. The first symptoms of smallpox usually appear 12 to 14 days symptoms of smallpox usually appear 12 to 14 days after you're infected. after you're infected.

Following the incubation period, a sudden onset of flu-Following the incubation period, a sudden onset of flu-like signs and symptoms occurs. These include:like signs and symptoms occurs. These include: Fever Fever A feeling of bodily discomfort (malaise) A feeling of bodily discomfort (malaise) Headache Headache Severe fatigue (prostration) Severe fatigue (prostration) Severe back pain Severe back pain Sometimes vomiting, diarrhea or bothSometimes vomiting, diarrhea or both

Rashes, Lesions and PusRashes, Lesions and Pus

A few days later, the characteristics small pox appears as flat, red A few days later, the characteristics small pox appears as flat, red spots. spots.

Many of these lesions turn into small blisters filled with clear fluid Many of these lesions turn into small blisters filled with clear fluid (vesicles) and later, with pus (pustules). (vesicles) and later, with pus (pustules).

The rash appears first on your face, hands and forearms and later The rash appears first on your face, hands and forearms and later on the trunk. It's usually most noticeable on the palms of your on the trunk. It's usually most noticeable on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Lesions also develop in the hands and the soles of your feet. Lesions also develop in the mucous membranes of your nose and mouth. The way the lesions mucous membranes of your nose and mouth. The way the lesions are distributed is a hallmark of smallpox and a primary way of are distributed is a hallmark of smallpox and a primary way of diagnosing the disease.diagnosing the disease.

When the pustules erupt, the skin doesn't break, but actually When the pustules erupt, the skin doesn't break, but actually separates from its underlying layers. The pain can be separates from its underlying layers. The pain can be excruciating. Scabs begin to form eight to nine days later and excruciating. Scabs begin to form eight to nine days later and eventually fall off, leaving deep, pitted scars. All lesions in a given eventually fall off, leaving deep, pitted scars. All lesions in a given area progress at the same rate through these stages. People who area progress at the same rate through these stages. People who don't recover usually die during the second week of illness.don't recover usually die during the second week of illness.

TreatmentTreatment

No cure for smallpox exists.No cure for smallpox exists. There is some evidence There is some evidence that cidofovir — an antiviral medication normally used that cidofovir — an antiviral medication normally used to treat an infection known as cytomegalovirus (CMV) to treat an infection known as cytomegalovirus (CMV) — might prevent smallpox if it's given within a day or — might prevent smallpox if it's given within a day or two of exposure. two of exposure.

The smallpox vaccine itself can prevent or lessen the The smallpox vaccine itself can prevent or lessen the severity of the disease if given within four days of severity of the disease if given within four days of infection. But neither of these is useful once signs and infection. But neither of these is useful once signs and symptoms develop. For now, the best that doctors can symptoms develop. For now, the best that doctors can offer people with symptomatic smallpox is supportive offer people with symptomatic smallpox is supportive therapy and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. therapy and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

Too bad… stupid WHOToo bad… stupid WHO

Smallpox vaccineSmallpox vaccine In 1967, the WHO launched a global In 1967, the WHO launched a global immunization campaign to eradicate smallpox. immunization campaign to eradicate smallpox. At that time, millions of people died of smallpox At that time, millions of people died of smallpox every year. The WHO's efforts were every year. The WHO's efforts were remarkably effective, and the last naturally remarkably effective, and the last naturally occurring case of smallpox was reported in occurring case of smallpox was reported in 1977. In 1980, smallpox vaccinations were 1977. In 1980, smallpox vaccinations were discontinued worldwide. discontinued worldwide.

Interesting factsInteresting facts

The United States has enough vaccine to The United States has enough vaccine to vaccinate everyone in the U.S.vaccinate everyone in the U.S.

Stocks of smallpox virus, set aside for Stocks of smallpox virus, set aside for research purposes, are officially stored in research purposes, are officially stored in two high-security labs — one in the two high-security labs — one in the United States and one in Siberia. This United States and one in Siberia. This has lead to concerns that smallpox has lead to concerns that smallpox someday may be used as a biological someday may be used as a biological warfare agent. warfare agent.

More useless infoMore useless info

Believed to be originated 3000 years ago in Egypt or Believed to be originated 3000 years ago in Egypt or India.India.

In some ancient cultures, smallpox was such a major In some ancient cultures, smallpox was such a major killer of infants that custom forbade the naming of a killer of infants that custom forbade the naming of a newborn until the infant had caught the disease and newborn until the infant had caught the disease and proved it would survive.proved it would survive.

Smallpox killed Queen Mary II of England, Emperor Smallpox killed Queen Mary II of England, Emperor Joseph I of Austria, King Luis I of Spain, Tsar Peter II Joseph I of Austria, King Luis I of Spain, Tsar Peter II of Russia, Queen Ulrika Elenora of Sweden, and King of Russia, Queen Ulrika Elenora of Sweden, and King Louis XV of France.Louis XV of France.

Fun StuffFun Stuff

Blindness was another complication. In 18th century Blindness was another complication. In 18th century Europe, a third of all reported cases of blindness was Europe, a third of all reported cases of blindness was due to smallpox. In a survey conducted in Viet Nam in due to smallpox. In a survey conducted in Viet Nam in 1898, 95% of adolescent children were pockmarked 1898, 95% of adolescent children were pockmarked and nine-tenths of all blindness was ascribed to and nine-tenths of all blindness was ascribed to smallpox.smallpox.

They used to confuse Chickenpox and smallpox.They used to confuse Chickenpox and smallpox. Animals do not carry this disease.Animals do not carry this disease. Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed

more people than all other infectious diseases more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Worldwide immunization stopped the spread combined. Worldwide immunization stopped the spread of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was reported in 1977.reported in 1977.

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