Small pox

Proven content

Smallpox used to be found all over the world and was considered the greatest scourge in the history of mankind. It is one of the earliest known human ailments, and at the same time it is the cause of the highest number of deaths of all epidemic diseases. Treatment of smallpox is only symptomatic, the antibiotic is administered only in the case of bacterial superinfections.

Small pox

Smallpox (or black pox) is an acute, viral, infectious disease. It is caused by the smallpox virus. The smallpox virus belongs to the genus Orthopox virus. It is one of the largest and most complex viruses, and only a few particles are needed to become infected. Man can also become infected with the virus of monkey pox, cowpox and vaccinia. The infection is transmitted through droplets or through direct contact, through contaminated clothing or bedding. The source of infection is man at every stage of the disease. Smallpox incubation period is on average 12-14 days. Mortality in unvaccinated people is around 30%.

Smallpox was eradicated thanks to a very large global work put into the prevention of preventive vaccinations, carried out since 1967. The last case of smallpox in the world took place in 1977. After its complete eradication and elimination of vaccinations, all samples of the virus were placed in 2 recommended by the World Organization Health (WHO) laboratories – CDC in Atlanta (US) and VECTOR in Koltsov (Novosibirsk).

Smallpox true – causes

The aetiological factor of smallpox is the dsDNA virus of the Poxviridae family, genus Orthopoxvirus – Varola virus (VARV). Importantly – it is not related to the chickenpox virus. The reservoir of smallpox infection is the human being who is the source of the infection from the moment of the onset of the fever.

The infection spreads in many ways, but most often it occurs via droplets. Also, direct contact with the patient’s skin lesions, his underwear, bedding or vesicle discharge – is a likelihood of infection. Nothing is known about the transmission of viruses by animals.

The greatest number of cases is observed in spring and winter.

Viruses entering the body travel to nearby lymph nodes, from which the infection spreads to other lymph nodes, bone marrow and spleen after about 3 days.

Smallpox symptoms

After the entry of smallpox viruses on the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, there is a period incubation of the diseasewhere viruses multiply and cause asymptomatic viremia twice. After the incubation period (8–16 days), the patient develops a high fever, accompanied by disturbed consciousness, malaise, headache and backache.

Then it starts rash period – at this stage, a maculopapular rash forms on the mucous membranes of the throat and mouth, as well as the skin of the face and forearms, and on the lower limbs, hands and feet. After about two days, the eruptions begin to become deeply embedded pustules which turn into scabs after a few days. Over time, they begin to fall off and leave unsightly scars. The patient’s death usually occurs in the second week of the disease, as a result of a generalized inflammatory reaction. Smallpox can also be milder in nature.

Types of smallpox

Smallpox can take two forms: hemorrhagic and malignant.

1. The hemorrhagic form of smallpox – this form of smallpox is usually fatal. After a short prodromal period, acute symptoms of general weakness appear with a very high fever, severe pain in the head, back and abdomen. Over time, erythema, skin ecchymosis and typical mucous membranes develop.

2. Malignant form of smallpox – this form is also characterized by high mortality and severe systemic symptoms. There are pooled eruptions that do not exceed the stage of pustules, often with severe hemorrhagic exudate. Patients with more severe forms may experience massive exfoliation of large areas of the epidermis.

Smallpox treatment

There are no standard treatments for smallpox. The treatment is mainly symptomatic, and in the event of bacterial superinfection, antibiotic therapy is implemented. Vaccinations are effective.

The first smallpox vaccine was invented in 1796 by Edward Jenner, then a British medic. This vaccine was based on the administration of live, virulent vaccinia viruses (not smallpox). For this purpose, the method of scarification was used, i.e. quick puncturing (fifteen times) of the skin with a needle or a scarifier previously soaked in a vaccine. After vaccination, the wound was covered with gauze to prevent contamination of other parts of the body. Approximately 4-14 days after the vaccination, the skin could be seen as lumpy lesions, followed by vesicles and white concave spots on the skin at the injection site. This was usually accompanied by fever and enlargement of the surrounding lymph nodes.

Vaccination against smallpox was not on the compulsory vaccination calendar.

Smallpox vaccines – complications

The smallpox vaccine carried a risk of complications, for example:

1. changes in organs due to bacterial exposure,
2. testicular inflammation
3. pyoderma (secondary),
4. circulatory disorders,
5. cow septicemia,
6. encephalitis.

Smallpox is considered a true biological weapon because:

1. the population is not immune to it due to the lack of vaccinations,
2. has a high mortality rate,
3. it is difficult to recognize at an early stage,
4. it is easily infected by direct contact or through the air,
5. it can completely disrupt the health service.
6. Smallpox as a biological weapon

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.