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Small Pox Vaccine Information - Symptoms, Cause and Treatment of Small Pox Disease

What is Small Pox ?

Smallpox is a very serious illness caused by a virus called the variola virus. Small pox gets its name from the pus-filled blisters (or pocks) that form during the illness. Although the names may sound alike, smallpox is not related to chickenpox, which is a milder disease caused by a different virus.

Although people are concerned that the smallpox virus might be used as a weapon, this would be difficult for anyone to do. Right now, there are no cases of smallpox disease in the United States. In fact, the last case of smallpox in the United States was in 1949, and the last case in the world was in 1977. Some samples of the virus that causes the disease are still kept in laboratories, though.

Forms of Small Pox

There are two forms of small pox: variola major and variola minor . Variola major has a case fatality rate of approximately 25%, while variola minor, a less virulent form, has a case fatality rate below 1%. Although the two forms cause disease of different severity, they are indistinguishable from one another.

Causes of Small Pox

Smallpox is caused by variola virus. The incubation period is about 12 days (range: 7 to 17 days) following exposure. Initial symptoms include high fever, fatigue, and head and backaches. A characteristic rash, most prominent on the face, arms, and legs, follows in 2-3 days. The rash starts with flat red lesions that evolve at the same rate. Lesions become pus-filled and begin to crust early in the second week. Scabs develop and then separate and fall off after about 3-4 weeks. The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death occurs in up to 30% of cases.

Symptoms of Small Pox

Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, head- and backaches, and vomiting. About two or three days after symptoms begin, a rash appears, mostly on the face, arms, and legs. The rash starts out raised and pink and turns to pus-filled lesions. Early in the second week, these crust over. Scabs separate and fall off after about three or four weeks. An infected person is contagious from the time symptoms appear until the time the last scabs fall off.

Diagnosis of Small Pox

Diagnose of smallpox without the need for laboratory tests. The World Health Organization provides training materials to help health staff recognize smallpox and distinguish it from chickenpox. Still, an initial case of smallpox is likely to be confirmed by laboratory testing.

Even a single confirmed case of smallpox would be considered an international health emergency to be reported immediately to local health authorities and national officials.

Treatment of Small Pox

There is currently no cure for smallpox - although the vaccine can sometimes help those recently exposed. Scientists continue to study antiviral agents to find one that can fight smallpox, but there is no proven treatment yet. For people suffering from full-blown smallpox, "supportive therapy" - intravenous fluids, medicines to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections - is the best-known course of action.

Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used primarily to treat complications of smallpox vaccination. VIG could also be offered to persons exposed to smallpox as a prophylaxis. However, VIG must be given before their lesions began to develop, and it is most effective when given with smallpox vaccination.

If the smallpox vaccination is given within 1-4 days of exposure to the disease, it may prevent illness, or at least lessen the degree of illness associated with the disease. Treatment, once the disease symptoms have started, is limited. There is no agent that has been specifically made for treating smallpox. Sometimes antibiotics are given for secondary infections that may occur. Vaccinia immune globulin (antibodies against a disease similar to smallpox) may help shorten the disease.

Preventions tips for Small Pox

1. Diet should be mild and soft and salt free because salt gives rise to more Itching.
2. Child does not scratch the spots as there is likelihood of secondary infection. Pock marks usually result from scratching the blisters.
3. Collect all the fallen scabs in a piece of paper and bury it deep inside the earth.
4. Do not under any condition give hot things to the child like cardamoms, ginger etc.
5. Only give her cooling things like curds, bananas, oranges etc.
6. After recovery give her two baths with hot water and carbolic soap before her to mix with others.