Question

Explain smallpox. Where did smallpox originate? How did smallpox begin? What were the consequences of smallpox? Where are the implications of smallpox? How can we better understand smallpox? (500 words)

Answer 1

Smallpox-

Smallpox is disease caused by poxvirus that is transmitted from person to person. Symptoms like is causes high fever, characteristic rash and may kill about one third of those infected. It is only disease which has been completely wiped out throghout the world. It is contagious disease that is spread from one person to other. The world health organization that is WHO officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980.

Origin of smallpox- It is thought to have originated in India or Egypt at least 3,000 years ago. Evidence of smallpox infection has been found in Egyptian mummies.

Epidemics of smallpox plagued Europe and Asia until 1976, when Edward Jennar teasted the theory of disease protection. He developed a vaccine for treatment of smallpox. Smallpox vaccination is mandatory in developed countries in early 1900. The last documented case of smallpox naturally occuring in 1977.

Consequeces of smallpox- They can vary from skin reaction to serious nervous system condition known as encephalitis, which result in lead to convulsion, coma and death. Smallpox is characterized by fever, general feeling of ill health, headaches and pain in back, these are initial symptom which are followed by a rash, small and raised bumps or lessions in two or three days. After the infection of smallpox, it invades more macrophages and cells which cover the inside surface of the blood vessels in liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow.

During 1970 smallpox killed at least 30% of west coast native Americans.

Smallpox is caused by infection of Variola disease. The virus can be teansmitted

a. Direcrly from person to person- the direct transmission require fairly prolonged face to face contact. It can be transmiited through air when an infected person have cough, sneezes.

b. Indirectly from an infected person- Rearly airborne virus can sperad farther, through the ventilation system in building by the infecting person in other room or other floors.

c. Contaminated items- It can also transmit through contact with contaminated clothing and bedding.

d. As a terrorist weapon - a deliberate release of smallpox is a remote threat. Governmemt have taken numerous precaution to protect against this possibility.

Cartain antiviral drug may be effective aganist the virus which cause smallpox.

Medical treatment of smallpox eases its symptoms. Antibiotics may need for secondary skin infection. Vaccination is most effective means for prevention of smallpox infection. The smallpox vaccine is made from vaccinia. These vaccine are available only through CDC and state health agencies.