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Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It was one of the world's most devastating diseases known to humanity. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977.
Oct 18, 2023 · Smallpox Images. Warning: Some images are graphic. This library includes subject matter that might be unsuitable for children. Viewing discretion is advised. We have made these photos available for many vaccine-preventable diseases as an added resource to help you educate staff and patients about the importance of vaccination.
Nov 17, 2022 · In the gallery above, look through 27 disturbing photos that illustrate the history of smallpox, from its murky beginnings to its horrifying symptoms — and finally to its 20th-century eradication.
- Kaleena Fraga
Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus), which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Complications
- Prevention
Smallpox is a serious and often deadly viral infection. It's contagious — meaning it spreads from person to person — and can cause permanent scarring. Sometimes, it causes disfigurement. Smallpox has affected humans for thousands of years but was wiped out worldwide by 1980 thanks to smallpox vaccines. It's no longer found naturally in the world. T...
The first symptoms of smallpox usually appear 12 to 14 days after you're exposed to the smallpox virus. However, the virus can be in your body from 7 to 19 days before you look or feel sick. This time is called the incubation period. After the incubation period, sudden flu-like symptoms occur. These include: 1. Fever 2. Muscle aches 3. Headache 4. ...
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus. The virus can spread: 1. Directly from person to person.You can catch the smallpox virus by being around someone who has it. An infected person can spread the virus when they cough, sneeze or talk. Coming in contact with skin sores also can cause you to get smallpox. 2. Indirectly from an infected person.Rar...
Most people who get smallpox survive. However, some rare types of smallpox are almost always deadly. These more-severe forms are most common in pregnant women and children. People who recover from smallpox usually have severe scars, especially on the face, arms and legs. Sometimes, smallpox causes vision loss (blindness).
If a smallpox outbreak happened, people with smallpox would be isolated to try to stop the spread of the virus. Anyone who had contact with someone who had smallpox would need a smallpox vaccine. A vaccine can protect you from getting sick or cause you to get less sick if you get smallpox. The vaccine should be given before or one week after exposu...
Scab material from patients with smallpox was often used for variolation, the practice of deliberately infecting a person with smallpox to (hope- fully) induce a mild infection and...
There are four main clinical forms of smallpox, each with different characteristics. During the smallpox era, the case-fatality rate differed for the different clinical forms, but it was approximately 30% overall in unvaccinated individuals.
