How Much Do You Know About Smallpox?
Smallpox was once found throughout the world, causing illness and death wherever it occurred. Smallpox was primarily a disease of children and young adults, with family members often infecting each other. A massive program by the World Health Organization eliminated all known smallpox viruses from the world in 1977. Although the disease no longer exists, samples of the agent that caused smallpox were saved by various governments for research purposes.
4. Which symptom of smallpox infection appears first?
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After the incubation period, the first symptoms of smallpox appear. They resemble the flu: fever of 101 to 104 degrees, headache, back pain, body aches, malaise, and, occasionally, vomiting. These initial symptoms are called the prodrome phase and last two to four days. The person is sometimes contagious. Two to three days after these symptoms begin, a rash appears, first on the tongue and in the mouth. The rash sores break open and spread the virus in the mouth and throat. The person is most contagious at this time. A rash also breaks out on the skin, beginning on the face. This spreads to the arms and legs, and then to the hands and feet. Within 24 hours, the rash has spread to all parts of the body. The rash progresses to raised bumps called pustules that fill with fluid and often have a depression in the middle resembling a bellybutton. This is a “hallmark” sign of smallpox. A person is still contagious during this time. These bumps break open and release viruses. Then a crust forms, and about two weeks after symptoms begin, the bumps form scabs. These scabs contain virus also. A person with smallpox is contagious until all the scabs have fallen off. When the scabs fall off, scars remain on the skin.
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