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Smallpox: Infections
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Smallpox is a virus. Symptoms of smallpox infection begin with a two- to five-day period of high fever, malaise and backache followed by the development of a rash. The rash begins in the lining of the mouth and throat as well as on the face and forearms before spreading to the trunk and legs. The rash starts with red bumps that are flat to the skin, but progresses to raised bumps, blisters and finally scabs. The time from the beginning of the rash to the formation of scabs is about two weeks.
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Smallpox is a viral infection which usually enters the body through the nose or throat. From here the virus travels to the lungs, where it multiplies and spreads to the lymphatic system. Within a few days, large pustules begin to appear all over the victim's skin.
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Smallpox usually requires face-to-face contact to spread. It's most often transmitted in air droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Inhaling a single particle may be enough to cause infection. In rare instances, airborne particles may spread through the ventilation system in a building, infecting people in other rooms or on other floors. Smallpox ... can spread through contact with contaminated clothing and bedding, although the risk of infection from these sources is slight.
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Smallpox will not rapidly disseminate throughout the community. Even after the development of the rash, the infection is slow to spread. “The infection is spread by droplet contamination and coughing or sneezing are not generally part of the infection. Smallpox will not spread like wildfire,”
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Smallpox is caused by a virus that may be airborne or spread by direct contact. After an incubation period of about two weeks, fever, aching, and prostration occur, lasting two or three days. An eruption then appears and spreads over the entire body; the lesions become blisterlike and pustular within a week. The lesions then open and crust over, causing itching and pain. When the crusts fall off, usually in another one or two weeks, the extent of permanent damage to the skin (pockmarks) becomes evident. There is no specific treatment for smallpox; an antibiotic may be administered to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
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Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, a brick-shaped DNA virus in the orthopoxvirus genus. The variola virus is among the largest of all animal viruses and can be seen with a light microscope. The variola virus initially infects the cells in the respiratory tract, then spreads to lymph nodes. The virus enters the bloodstream about 3-4 days after the initial infection.
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