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SMALLPOX. By: Makayla Claiborne and Amber Howard. What is Smallpox?. Smallpox also called variola is defined as an acute infectious disease, meaning that it has a short infected period. It was declared eradicated in 1980 (Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, 2002).
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SMALLPOX By: Makayla Claiborne and Amber Howard
What is Smallpox? • Smallpox also called variola is defined as an acute infectious disease, meaning that it has a short infected period. It was declared eradicated in 1980 (Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, 2002). • It is a highly infectious disease spread by face to face contact, direct contact, contact with infected bodily fluids or objects that may be contaminated with that of an infected individual (Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, 2002).
Stages of rash Macules: Rash starts out flat Papules: Progresses to raised bumps Vesicles: Bumps are filled with clear fluid Pustules: Clear liquid changes to pus The bumps scab and fall off leading to scars Symptoms • Symptoms appear within 1-2 weeks • High fever • Chills • Head aches and body aches • Nausea • Occasional vomiting • (Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology, 2002).
Prevalence • The last naturally occurring case was reported in 1977 in Somalia, the last reported U.S case was in 1949 (Department of HealthInformation for a Healthy New York, 2011). • World Health Organization declared it eradicated in 1979 and now considered a weapon that can be intentionally released for bioterrorist attacks (Department of HealthInformation for a Healthy New York, 2011). • Kept in two laboratories today, in the U.S and Russia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009).
Prevention There is only one prevention people have used. The vaccine for the smallpox is highly effective in preventing the disease. The vaccine is actually not created by the killed virus, but rather a living “pox”-type virus.
Treatment • Unfortunately, there has been no known remedies that can cure this virus. Instead, the treatments that are given give supportive care while the body fights off the disease. • This includes: • Intravenous (IV) fluids • Medications controlling the fever and/ or pain • Antibiotics to prevent secondary infections
RESOURCES • Utah Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology. (2002). Smallpox (Variola). [Accessed 11 March 2013]. Retrieved from: http://health.utah.gov/epi/fact_sheets/smallpox.html • Department of HealthInformation for a Healthy New York. (2011). Smallpox. [Accessed 11 March 2013]. Retrieved from: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/smallpox/fact_sheet • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Emergency Preparedness and Response. [Accessed 11 March 2013]. Retrieved from: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/basics/outbreak.asp