Preparing For a Bioterrorist Attack on Smallpox
Having Smallpox can be a very scary experience. It is a disease that is known to cause death and can be a serious threat to anyone that comes into contact with it. However, there are ways to prevent this type of disease from happening to you.
Symptoms
Symptoms of smallpox are generally present for 12 to 17 days after contact with an infected person. After this time, the disease is no longer contagious. However, you should still keep away from people infected with the disease to prevent spreading it to others.
The first symptom of smallpox is a fever. This can range from 101 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The fever usually lasts two to three days. It may also involve other symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and back pain.
After a day or so, a small red bump or spot may appear on the tongue or face. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body, including the arms, forearms, and legs. A few days later, the spots become pus-filled blisters, which begin to drain and scab over. The scabs eventually fall off, leaving deep pitted scars.
After the scabs are gone, the smallpox rash begins to heal. The skin lesions feel like firm round objects embedded in the skin. These lesions are called pustules.
The scabs will gradually come off over a period of three to four weeks. As the scabs fall off, a large number of virus particles will travel into the bloodstream and cause secondary bacterial infections. These infections can be life-threatening. During the recovery stage, the patient will lose tissue and may have a disfigurement.
The infection can also affect the liver. It can increase in size and may be heavier than normal. The spleen is engorged with large lymphoid cells. In addition, the brain can become inflamed.
Normally, the disease is very contagious when it appears, and is more likely to spread to other people when the rash is active. You can avoid spreading smallpox to others by limiting contact with others and staying away from healthcare facilities until your symptoms have gone away.
Causes
Despite its name, smallpox is actually a very serious disease. It can cause death in 30% of people who don’t have vaccinations. It’s a deadly virus that can spread to the brain, lungs, and kidneys. In addition, the infection can be fatal for those with compromised immune systems.
The virus that causes smallpox is highly contagious. Symptoms of the disease can develop in as little as seven days. These include fever, chills, malaise, and headaches. After a week, the infectious smallpox virus particles remain viable on surfaces and clothing for a week or more.
Among the most important risk factors for smallpox is contact with contaminated personal items and bodily fluids, such as blood, pus, or saliva. Besides those risk factors, scurvy, a lack of dietary nutrition, and malnutrition can also increase the risk of developing the disease.
A person who has smallpox can spread it to others by touching a scab or sore. This can be a life-threatening condition, as people may accidentally touch their eyes or mouth.
The disease is highly contagious, especially during the first two weeks of the rash. A smallpox infection is most common during this time period. The patient is kept in isolation until the scabs fall off. The infection is not contagious after the scabs have fallen off.
There are two main types of smallpox. The more severe version, known as variola major, has a 30% fatality rate. The lesser form, called variola minor, has a less fatal rate of about 1%.
The smallpox virus has no known cure. It can only be eliminated by vaccinations. The World Health Organization launched a large campaign to eradicate the disease in the 1960s.
Prevention
Among the many achievements of the World Health Organization (WHO) is the prevention of smallpox. The WHO conducted a widespread vaccination program and surveillance for the disease. Eventually, the virus was eradicated worldwide. It remains one of the most successful public health successes in history.
Smallpox is a highly contagious viral infection. It can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or through contaminated items. It is spread most easily in the cool, dry winter months. It is also transmitted through air droplets.
When the virus infects a person, it multiplies in the lymph nodes and lungs. After a few days, the patient develops a fever, vomiting, and a rash. The rash begins as flat red bumps, which spread to all parts of the body. The rash eventually forms a scab that falls off after three weeks. It leaves scars that are pitted.
The symptoms of smallpox can be severe. Most people who recover from the disease have scars. It is important to prevent dehydration and control the fever. If you or someone you know develops smallpox, be sure to isolate the infected person at home.
Although the smallpox virus is not cured, there are antiviral medications available. These include brincidofovir and tecovirimat.
For more information on the smallpox virus, visit the FDA website. The site provides information on how to prepare for an outbreak, diagnostic procedures, and smallpox treatments. It also contains emergency contact numbers.
The CDC has information on smallpox bioterrorism and potential ways the virus could be used. It also offers an algorithm for evaluating the risk of smallpox in patients with a fever and a rash.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to smallpox, make sure to report it to the VAERS.
Cases
Symptoms of smallpox include fever, body aches, and headaches. The rash appears in a couple of days and spreads all over the body. If you suspect smallpox, call your local health department or a doctor. They can provide you with guidance and a list of designated care facilities.
If you are infected with smallpox, you are contagious until your last smallpox scab falls off. You may be exposed to other people through contact with contaminated clothing, bed linen, or respiratory droplets. The most common way to spread smallpox is by person-to-person contact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched an intensified smallpox eradication program in 1967. This program required a rapid vaccination of 80% of the population within a few years. This resulted in the eradication of smallpox in several countries in the 1970s. The following year, most countries in western and central Africa became smallpox-free.
In the United States, there were a number of outbreaks of virulent smallpox from 1900 to 1929. The 1901 outbreak in Detroit reported 1,610 cases and 163 deaths.
There was no natural smallpox case recorded in 1977. However, there were recombinant smallpox strains developed in Russia. These newer strains are more virulent and infectivity has increased.
A 28-year-old man contracted smallpox on a ship in Seattle. He then developed a rash on March 27. The disease was diagnosed after he was hospitalized.
Variola major is a serious form of smallpox that causes a rash, fever, and vomiting. In addition, a secondary bacterial infection may develop in the skin and bones.
Variola minor is a less serious form of smallpox that produces only a rash. It also has a low mortality rate.
Precautions to take in case of a bioterrorist attack
Taking precautions to prepare for a bioterrorist attack on smallpox is not something to be taken lightly. This disease is serious and can lead to death. In the United States, most people were not vaccinated against it until the 1970s.
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) details the plan for preparing for a smallpox attack. The federal government has a stockpile of drugs and other medical supplies that will be used if needed.
The CDC is working with local and state public health authorities to coordinate the response. The agency is also planning to develop a regional system for specialized testing.
The CDC has a contract to supply 40 million doses of the smallpox vaccine to workers at risk for exposure. This is part of a larger effort to prepare for a bioterrorist event.
The CDC has also published a list of microorganisms with the potential to become biological weapons. These are organisms that can be found naturally in the environment and are not usually causes of disease.
The CDC has also published corresponding recommendations for the treatment of such a disease. In the event that a bioterrorist attack is underway, doctors will isolate the patient, examine him or her, and report the case to local public health officials. The advice will differ depending on the circumstances.
The CDC has also published an article in the journal Clin Infect Dis that provides a description of the best way to get vaccinated against smallpox. The article states that the risk of complications will vary based on whether or not the person has already received a vaccination.
The CDC has compiled a comprehensive smallpox response plan, which was released on November 26, 2002.
Health Sources:
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
