What Does Smallpox Look Like?

Smallpox is a contagious and serious viral illness that was thankfully eradicated in 1980. It was once one of the most dreaded diseases in human history, responsible for roughly 300 million deaths in the 20th century alone. It is important to understand what smallpox looks like so that you know what signs of infection to watch for.

The Vaccination

Smallpox was prevented through a vaccine that effectively protected individuals from the virus. This vaccine was initially developed by Dr. Edward Jenner in 1796, and it worked by injecting a person with cowpox virus, a virus closely related to smallpox. The cowpox virus was less destructive and could actually protect an individual if they were further exposed to smallpox.

The Symptoms and Early Stages

Smallpox is highly contagious, and typically spreads through personal contact with infected people, as well as through inhaling droplets in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus usually affects the respiratory tract first, often accompanied by a fever. Following this, smallpox patients usually experience extreme fatigue and aching muscles.

The rash associated with smallpox is typically what causes the most concern. It normally begins to appear about three to five days after the fever appears, and will spread rapidly all over the body. The rash appears as small, raised bumps known as ‘pustules’ that are full of fluid and become especially contagious as they break open.

The pustules tend to form in small sheets, particularly around the face, wrists, and lower legs. They are typically red and are filled with a thick fluid that contains the virus. Moreover, these pustules become a crusty brown as they dry out and eventually, the entire rash fades away leaving behind marks, the majority of them fading away in the course of a few months.

Conclusion

As we have discussed, it is important to be aware of what smallpox looks like and what warning signs to look out for, even in the very unlikely event that smallpox manages to come back to life. Proactive measures of making sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations, as well as monitoring your symptoms should be practiced every day. Should you notice any signs of smallpox, please do not hesitate to contact medical professionals as soon as possible.