Smallpox

Causative organism

Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by a virus.

About the disease

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus. Although smallpox was eradicated in 1977, there is the possibility that the illness may reappear.

Anyone exposed to the smallpox virus may get smallpox. Even people who have been vaccinated for smallpox might become ill, because the duration of protection given by the smallpox vaccine is not fully understood.

The smallpox virus can be easily spread from one person to another after coming into close (within 6 feet) contact with a person who has smallpox. The virus is often contained in the saliva droplets of a person with smallpox.

Symptoms

Initial symptoms of smallpox may be similar to influenza then followed by

• Malaise (generalized weakness)
• fever (temperature 101⁰ F or greater)
• vomiting and occasional abdominal pain
• headache
• severe backache

Two to four days after initial symptoms

• rash on face, arms, and legs

Several days later

• Rash moves to the midsection of the body

Contact the doctor immediately if develop these symptoms and think about the exposure to smallpox.

Distinction of small pox with chicken pox

Progression of the rash on the body is a hallmark to differentiating smallpox and chickenpox.

Generally, the chickenpox rash begins on the covered parts of the body and progresses to the arms, legs, and face while the smallpox rash first appears on the face and other extremities and later moves to the trunk of the body.

There is no specific medical treatment for smallpox infection

There is no known treatment for smallpox, although approximately two-thirds of those infected with this virus have survived previous outbreaks. The smallpox vaccine is sometimes used to lessen symptoms, and may be helpful if given within four days of exposure to someone with smallpox.

Routine smallpox vaccination is not recommended for the general public

If an outbreak of smallpox occurs, doses of the smallpox vaccine may become available through the national drug stockpile maintained by the Centers for Disease Control. Plans are currently in progress to increase the current stockpile of this vaccine.