Smallpox is a viral infection that only affects humans and has been eradicated. The virus is contained in two research locations, and the only way to contract it is through intentional exposure. Symptoms include a rash and fever, and the disease is highly contagious through the air and saliva.
Smallpox is a viral infection that only infects humans. It is caused by a virus called variola. Today, people can no longer be naturally infected with the virus. The last known natural infection of smallpox occurred in 1977.
The only way a person can now become infected with smallpox is through a criminal act. Someone would have to intentionally expose the virus to the public before infection can occur. The chances of naturally contracting the virus are nil. The chances of getting caught through some form of criminal act are also slim.
There are two locations in the world where the virus is still contained for research, Koltsovo in the Russian Federation and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Atlanta in the United States. The virus is confined in sealed laboratories using very strict security measures.
While of course that would never happen, if a person were to come into contact with the virus, very recognizable symptoms would appear within a week to 17 days. Early symptoms would include headache, very high fever and extreme tiredness. Within two or three days, a rash would start appearing on my arms, legs and face. The rash would develop into pus-filled lesions, which would form and fall off within three to four weeks.
The early symptoms of smallpox are extremely severe. The rash is a very common sign and appears on exposed parts of the body. Smallpox lesions run very deep in the skin and feel hard when touched. They are also very difficult to open.
Smallpox is a very contagious disease. It is transmitted from person to person through the air. The most common form of infection is through the saliva of another infected person. The infectious period can last from one month to six weeks.
Smallpox can also be spread through the sheets of an infected person. Both clothing and bedding should be bleached to remove the infection. Contaminated surfaces in the vicinity of the infected person must also be cleaned.
Smallpox cannot be contracted by traveling to foreign countries or brought into a country by visitors. The smallpox virus has now been completely eradicated. Unless someone lets the virus escape, which is unlikely, there is no chance of getting infected.
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