Smallpox

Acute

What is Smallpox?

Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It was one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity and caused millions of deaths before it was eradicated.

  • High fever.
  • Severe headache.
  • Backache.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Extreme fatigue and weakness.
  • Vomiting.
  • Rash that starts in your mouth and spreads to your face, then to the rest of your body.
  • Sores, then hard pustules that form from the rash.

Blindness was a frequent sequela of smallpox, due to corneal, uveal, or retinal lesions. Neurological complications were uncommon, but included encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, cranial neuropathies, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It was one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity and caused millions of deaths before it was eradicated. It is believed to have existed for at least 3000 years.

Smallpox can be prevented by smallpox vaccines, also called vaccinia virus vaccines. The vaccines are made from a virus called vaccinia, which is a poxvirus similar to smallpox, but less harmful.

A person is considered at risk for contracting smallpox after prolonged, close contact with an infectious smallpox patient. Before smallpox was eradicated, the disease had a secondary household or close contact attack rate of approximately 60% among unvaccinated individuals.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?

In July 2018, the FDA approved tecovirimat (TPOXX) for treatment of smallpox. In laboratory tests, tecovirimat has been shown to stop the growth of the virus that causes smallpox and to be effective in treating animals that had diseases similar to smallpox.

How is it treated?

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is vital. It varies with the patient and stage of the disease. Treatment options include

Treatment of smallpox patients generally involves supportive care. Vaccination with replication-competent smallpox vaccines (i.e., ACAM2000 and APSV) can prevent or lessen the severity of disease if given within 2 to 3 days of the initial exposure. They may decrease symptoms if given within the first week of exposure.

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