Smallpox (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What is Smallpox?== | ==What is Smallpox?== | ||
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Smallpox?== | ==What are the symptoms of Smallpox?== | ||
*High Fever (102-104 fa) | |||
*Malaise | |||
*Aches | |||
*Rash (starting around the mouth and throat) | |||
*Sores spreading throughout the body after about 24 hours of developing | |||
*Rash develops into raised bumps | |||
*Bumps fill with a thick, opaque fluid and often have a depression in the center | |||
*Bumps develop into pustules | |||
*Pustules form a crust and then scab | |||
==What are the causes of Smallpox?== | ==What are the causes of Smallpox?== | ||
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Except for laboratory stockpiles, the variola virus has been eliminated. | |||
==Who is at risk for Smallpox?== | ==Who is at risk for Smallpox?== | ||
Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Humans are the only natural hosts of variola. Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals. | |||
A person with smallpox is sometimes contagious with onset of fever (prodrome phase), but the person becomes most contagious with the onset of rash. At this stage the infected person is usually very sick and not able to move around in the community. The infected person is contagious until the last smallpox scab falls off. | |||
==How to know you have Smallpox?== | ==How to know you have Smallpox?== | ||
If the patient has a fever, malaise, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. The fever is usually high, in the range of 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Around 4 days after exposure a rash will emerge, first as small red dots on the mouth and throat. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | ==When to seek urgent medical care== | ||
Once previously stated symptoms are apparent. | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
There is no proven treatment for smallpox. Scientists are currently researching new treatments. Patients with smallpox may be helped by intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur. | |||
==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ==Diseases with similar symptoms== | ||
Revision as of 16:29, 22 June 2010
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What is Smallpox?
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease.
What are the symptoms of Smallpox?
- High Fever (102-104 fa)
- Malaise
- Aches
- Rash (starting around the mouth and throat)
- Sores spreading throughout the body after about 24 hours of developing
- Rash develops into raised bumps
- Bumps fill with a thick, opaque fluid and often have a depression in the center
- Bumps develop into pustules
- Pustules form a crust and then scab
What are the causes of Smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Except for laboratory stockpiles, the variola virus has been eliminated.
Who is at risk for Smallpox?
Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Humans are the only natural hosts of variola. Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.
A person with smallpox is sometimes contagious with onset of fever (prodrome phase), but the person becomes most contagious with the onset of rash. At this stage the infected person is usually very sick and not able to move around in the community. The infected person is contagious until the last smallpox scab falls off.
How to know you have Smallpox?
If the patient has a fever, malaise, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. The fever is usually high, in the range of 101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Around 4 days after exposure a rash will emerge, first as small red dots on the mouth and throat.
When to seek urgent medical care
Once previously stated symptoms are apparent.
Treatment options
There is no proven treatment for smallpox. Scientists are currently researching new treatments. Patients with smallpox may be helped by intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Smallpox
Directions to Hospitals Treating Smallpox