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Smallpox is a contagious, disfiguring and often fatal disease that has plagued humans for millennia. In 1980, smallpox was completely eradicated from the world as a result of an unprecedented global immunization campaign.
Some smallpox virus samples have been preserved for scientific purposes This fact raised doubts about the use of the flower as a biological weapon
Brownness cannot be treated The vaccine prevents smallpox, but the risk of side effects from the vaccine is too great to justify vaccination in people at low risk of contracting the virus.
Smallpox is caused by infection with the variola virus The virus is transmitted:
- directly from person to person Direct transmission of the virus requires long-term contact The virus can be transmitted when droplets from an infected person's cough, sneeze or talk are inhaled by a healthy person.
- Indirectly In rare cases, the airborne virus can spread far, possibly through the ventilation system in the building As a result, people can be infected in other floors and rooms
- Through contaminated items Smallpox can also be contracted through contact with contaminated clothing or bed linen However, infection in this way is rare
- potentially through weapons of terrorism Intentionally spreading the pox is a distant threat However, because the release of the virus could lead to the rapid spread of infection, government agencies are taking several preparedness measures, such as stocking up on smallpox vaccine.
The first symptoms of smallpox develop 12-14 days after infection During the incubation period, which lasts 7-17 days, the patient may feel healthy At this time, he cannot transmit the disease to others
Flu-like symptoms develop after the incubation period:
- Fever
- General discomfort
- Headache
- Severe fatigue
- Severe back pain
- Vomiting in some cases
After a few days, red spots appear on the face, palms, forearms and later on the body. After 1-2 days, these lesions will grow into bumps filled with clear fluid Later, the clear liquid turns into pus After 8-9 days, a blister forms, which eventually peels off, leaving deep, pitted scars.
Lesions also develop in the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, where they turn into bumps that soon burst.
