Smallpox

PATHOGEN

Smallpox only infects humans.

Symptoms

• vomiting
• high fever
• fatigue
• backache
• rash that starts in the mouth and throat & later spreads to arms, face, legs, etc

The fever and other symptoms appear right away

SMALLPOX IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS and can be spread by

• close face to face contact
• breathing in contaminated air on a bus, train, etc.
• exchanging saliva
• direct contact with contaminated objects like clothing or bedding.

PREVENTION

• isolate all infected people
• vaccinate close contacts of infected people

THE TREATMENT IS the smallpox vaccine.

• if the vaccine is successful, the rash will start to go away.
• In a few days, the blisters will turn to scabs and fall off.
• small scars are left behind.
• only 30% of people with smallpox die.

Smallpox History

• THE MUMMY OF EGYPTIAN PHARAOH RAMSES V IN 1157 BC
• was found to have scarring similar to that of smallpox on his remains.

work cited

• bt.cdc.gov
• niaid.nih.gov
• historyofvaccines.org
• emergency.cdc.gov
• healthvermont.gov (and google images)