Smallpox

Smallpox is a disease that has been around for thousands of years. At least for 3,000 years, smallpox was one of the world’s most devastating diseases, as it caused death in around 30% of cases. However, thanks to a global smallpox eradication program led by the World Health Organization (WHO), smallpox was officially eradicated in the late 1970s. The last naturally-occurring case happened in 1977 in Somalia.

Smallpox is caused by a virus known as the variola virus. It is a highly contagious infectious disease that has no known cure. Due to the severity of the disease and its propensity to spread, it is considered a potential terrorist weapon.

Symptoms

Symptoms of smallpox can appear between 12 and 14 days after someone contracts the disease. This period is called an incubation period. During the incubation period, you cannot infect others. When symptoms do occur, they are similar to the flu and include: fever, general discomfort, extreme fatigue, malaise, back pain, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea. Following the onset of those symptoms, someone who has contracted the disease will usually break out in red spots or a rash that is pinkish or reddish in color. The spots first appear on the face, arms, and hands and then later on the torso. They become blisters that are filled with a clear liquid which turns into pus. In a little over a week, the spots turn into scabs which eventually become scars. Mouth sores can also develop, causing the disease to spread into the saliva. Once the sores have developed, symptoms can include delirium and heavy bleeding.

Causes

Smallpox can spread when you are in close proximity to someone who has the disease. This occurs when water droplets from someone who is infected are passed through the air and inhaled by another person. These water droplets can escape when someone speaks, sneezes, or coughs. It is thought that in some cases, smallpox has the potential to spread through less direct methods, such as an air ventilation system. All it takes to contract the disease is for someone to inhale infected water droplets. Although it is more difficult, the disease can also be spread through clothing or bedding that has been contaminated by an infected person. Since the disease has been eradicated, there are few risk factors for developing the disease.

It is believed that smallpox is more easily spread in the first week of an infection. However, someone with smallpox is still contagious until their scabs fall off. According to Pub Med Health, the disease can stay alive for up to 24 hours. However, when conditions are poor, it may only be able to stay alive for six hours.

Prevention

The current smallpox vaccination involves a live virus, which is prepared from the vaccinia virus strain. It must be injected by a bifurcated needle that carries the vaccine. When the vaccine is given, the skin is usually pricked a few times over the course of several seconds. When the process has been successful, the patient will develop a bump that is red in color and itchy at the site where the vaccine has been administered after a period of three or four days. Similar to the progression of the disease itself, the bump turns into a blister and subsequently becomes filled with pus. Once it is drained, a scab can form. The scab should fall off after a week or so. This vaccine has been effective in preventing an infection in 95% of people who get it. Although the level of immunity decreases over time, a subsequent injection may be given to increase its effectiveness.

In the past, almost everyone was vaccinated to protect against smallpox. It is therefore no longer necessary to give the smallpox vaccination to infants, as the disease is considered to be officially eradicated. The vaccine is used in the case of an outbreak, as it is thought to be able to reduce the severity of symptoms. Today, people who are more likely to be exposed to the virus, including army officials, medical staff, and emergency teams might get the vaccine. However, due to the potential side effects and the costly nature of the vaccine, most people do not need to get vaccinated against smallpox.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for smallpox, the vaccine can help to reduce symptoms and prevent complications of the illness. The vaccine must be administered within four days of someone being exposed to smallpox. If that is not possible, treatment options are limited.

In some cases, antibiotics have been prescribed for those who are infected with smallpox. In other cases, doctors have prescribed antibodies that are similar to smallpox, called vaccinia immune globulin. It is thought that they might be able to help quicken recovery from the disease.

When a smallpox diagnosis is made, the patient must be quarantined immediately. In addition, anyone that they have had intimate contact with in the days prior should also enter isolation. These people can be given the vaccine and their conditions monitored. Emergency health plans already exist to protect people from getting smallpox, should an outbreak occur.