Smallpoe is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus virus, which can be transmitted through saliva droplets or sneezing, for example.Upon entering the body, this virus develops and multiplies in the cells, leading to the appearance of symptoms such as high fever, body anesthesia, intense vomiting and the appearance of blisters on the skin.
When an infection occurs, treatment aims to reduce symptoms of the disease and prevent transmission to others, and antibiotics may also be indicated to prevent the onset of associated bacterial infections.
- Although it is a serious.
- Highly contagious and incurable disease.
- The World Health Organization considers smallpox to be eradicated due to the success of vaccination against the disease.
- Important to prevent the disease.
Smallpox symptoms appear 10-12 days after infection with the virus, with the first signs and symptoms:
A few days after the first symptoms appear, blisters appear on the mouth, face and arms that spread rapidly to the trunk and legs, these blisters can easily burst and cause scars, in addition, after a while, the blisters, especially the of the face and trunk, they harden more and seem to adhere to the skin.
Smallpox transmission occurs mainly through inhalation or contact with saliva from people infected with the virus.Although less frequent, transmission can also occur through personal clothing or bedding.
Smallpox is more contagious during the first week of infection, but as scabs form in the wounds, transmissibility decreases.
Smallpox treatment is designed to relieve symptoms and prevent secondary bacterial infections, which can occur due to the fragility of the immune system, and it is recommended that the person be isolated to prevent transmission of the virus to others.
In 2018, the drug Tecovirimat was approved, which can be used against smallpox.Although the disease was eradicated, its approval was due to the possibility of bioterrorism.
The prevention of smallpox should be carried out by the smallpox vaccine and avoiding contact with infected people or objects who have been in contact with the patient.
The smallpox vaccine prevents the onset of the disease and helps to cure or reduce its consequences if given within 3 to 4 days after the patient has contracted the infection.However, if the symptoms of the disease have already appeared, vaccination may have no effect.
Smallpox vaccine is not part of the basic immunization schedule in Brazil, as the disease was considered to be eradicated more than 30 years ago. However, the military and healthcare professionals can request the vaccine to prevent possible infection.