Small Pox

Smallpox is a serious and contagious disease caused by the variola virus. It's known for causing a distinctive skin rash and high fever. Though it was eradicated worldwide in 1980 thanks to a massive global vaccination campaign, it was once one of the deadliest diseases in human history.

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🦠 Causes

• Caused by the variola virus

• Spread through:

  • Respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing)

  • Direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects (like bedding or clothing)

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🤒 Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 17 days after exposure:

1. Early Symptoms (last 2–4 days):

   • High fever

   • Fatigue

   • Headache

   • Back pain

   • Vomiting (sometimes)

2. Rash Development:

   • Starts in the mouth and face, then spreads to the rest of the body

   • Progresses from macules → papules → vesicles → pustules → scabs

   • Deep, round pustules with a centrally sunken center (umbilicated)

3. Scabs fall off after ~3 weeks, often leaving scars.

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🧬 Types of Smallpox

• Variola major: More severe, higher death rate (~30%)

• Variola minor: Milder form, lower death rate (<1%)

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💉 Treatment and Prevention

• No proven cure once infected

• Vaccination can prevent infection or reduce severity if given early

• In the past, the smallpox vaccine was made using a related virus (vaccinia)

• Today, only stored samples of the virus remain in high-security labs

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❌ Current Status

• Eradicated: No natural cases since 1977 (last in Somalia)

• Only two labs (in the U.S. and Russia) are officially authorized to hold the virus