Essay on Cause and Effects of Smallpox - 1520 Words

Cause and Effects of Smallpox Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Smallpox is a specific, infectious, and highly contagious febrile disease known only to be transmitted by humans. It is caused by a virus from air currents which are eventually passed on from person to person. Smallpox varies from a mild form without skin manifestations to a highly fatal hemorrhagic form. Edward Jenner, an English physician, discovered a means of preventing smallpox through vaccination. Gradually mass vaccination programs were introduced in many parts of the world. Smallpox was the first disease conquered by human beings and was eradicated by vaccination. The last known cases of naturally†¦show more content†¦Humans are the natural hosts of smallpox and it is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals. (WHO, 2005) Cause and Effects of Smallpox†¦2 Exposure to the virus is followed by an incubation period which people may not feel any sign of symptoms. The incubation period can range between 7 to 17 days. People are not contagious during this time period. After the incubation period, high fever, chills, severe headache and backache, and general malaise begin to develop. Your body temperature can reach up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. After 2 to 4 days, a rash emerges first as small red spots on the tongue and in the mouth. The spots develop into sores which spread large amounts of the virus into the mouth and throat. The person becomes most contagious during this phase. Soon after, the smallpox rash appears on exposed portions of the body: the face, forearms, wrists, palms, lower legs, feet, and soles. Usually the rash spreads to all parts of the body within 24 hours. As the rash appears, the fever usually falls and the person may start to feel better. The rash becomes raised bumps on the third day of the rash. The bumps fill with a thick, opaque fluid and often have a depression in the center that looks like a bellybutton. (CDC, 2004). This is a major distinguishing characteristic of smallpox that occurs on the fourth day. Until scabs form over the bumps, fever often will riseShow MoreRelatedThe Eradication of Smallpox Smallpox is a disease that has a very high infection rate within the1300 Words   |  6 Pages The Eradication of Smallpox Smallpox is a disease that has a very high infection rate within the human population. It is a pathogen caused by the Variola virus, of which the symptoms of this are high fever, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. There are two forms of smallpox, Variola major and Variola minor. Variola major is the most common of the cases which involves a higher fever and more extensive rash. However there are actually four different types of the Variola major and they are:Read MoreToday In The World Humans Have The Lowest Death Rate To1304 Words   |  6 Pagesthe human race. Smallpox was one of these diseases that caused many problems to the human race, but with vaccines scientists and doctors were able to eradicate the disease completely, and no natural case has occurred since 1949 (â€Å"What is Smallpox?†). However recently people are afraid to vaccinate themselves and their children due to the chance of severe reactions (â€Å"Vaccine Reactions†). In addition they al so fear of their children acquiring autism from vaccines (â€Å"Vaccines Cause Autism?†). AlthoughRead MoreThe Demon in the Freezer: A True Story933 Words   |  4 PagesSection One: 286 In the book, The Demon in the Freezer, there were numerous characters that participated in the given research for smallpox. Throughout the plot, I found Lisa Hensley to be the best character in connection with public health. 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From that moment on, I was so eager to learn about medicine and what it would be like to createRead MoreThe Dormant Threat of Smallpox1370 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction/Background/History: Small Pox is an infectious disease that causes a fever and rash. The term â€Å"pox† comes from the Latin word for spotted. It also refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person. Small Pox is cause by the Variola virus that appeared many years ago. There are two rudimentary patterns of small pox: Variola minor and Variola major, which is the worst and most common of the two. The earliest known death was Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses. CouldRead MoreVaccines Are Not the Cause of Autism Essay604 Words   |  3 PagesFor recurrent generations, there encompasses numerous controversies surrounding vaccinations for children in addition to the unfavorable reactions that may arise. 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The two scourges are bubonic plague, which influenced Europe during the 1300’s, and smallpox, which impacted Mesoamerica and the Native Americans from the 1500’s to the 1900’s. To understand how these sicknesses were so altering to their related societies, one must understand the disease. First, one must know the background of the disease. The earliest known outbreak of smallpox originated in Asia, more specifically in India (Carr para. 2). Bubonic plague is also presumed to haveRead MoreEssay on Bacteria and Viruses1259 Words   |  6 Pagescalled a capsule. These capsules have lipopolysaccharide in them, which is toxic and causes an immune response. As such, gram-negative bacteria generally cause disease. Bacteria may emit other toxins to similar effect. They may also metabolize chemicals in ways that are good, such as the ways that make cheese and yogurt, or clean up oil spills. They may also be commensals, such as Escherichia coli. The positive effects of viruses are less obvious. 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