Smallpox: a brief description of the course of the disease

Smallpox is a very serious virusa disease that has been a scourge of mankind for many centuries. The real epidemics of this terrible disease have killed entire communities, especially in countries located in Asia and Africa.

Everyone knows what a chicken pox is -an ordinary chickenpox, which is affected primarily by children. Even in adulthood, despite all the complications, it is transferred surprisingly easily, if you compare it with the virus of the so-called "black pox". Fortunately, to date, this disease is completely eliminated on the entire planet.

Smallpox: course of the disease. The only source of the virus isthe infected person. First, infection is infiltrated by talking, coughing, or physical contact. But in the late stages of the disease, with the formation of crusts on pustules, the virus is released and settles on household objects and clothes. Penetrates into a healthy body through the skin, the respiratory tract, the digestive tract and mucous membranes. If a person has not yet suffered from such a disease or was not vaccinated, the probability of infection is 100%.

The duration of the incubation period is from12 to 15 days. Then the disease begins acutely, with severe complications. The patient's fever rises, weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, sometimes delirium and even loss of consciousness. On the shoulders, inside the thighs and in the lower abdomen appears a small rash, which disappears after 2 - 3 days.

Approximately 3 to 4 days after the onset of the diseasethe temperature drops, and the well-being improves temporarily. But then on the hands, face and head there is a profuse rash, which then spreads to the abdomen, back and lower limbs. Over time, it acquires a dark shade and on its surface appear large tubercles - vesicles. A similar rash also spreads to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nasal passages, mouth, gums and pharynx. That's why the patient becomes sensitive to light, it's hard for him to breathe, swallow and talk. The voice becomes hoarse. Since the mucous membranes are constantly moistened, the vesicles on them gradually turn into small, painful sores.

Approximately on 7 - 8 day a status of the personbegins to deteriorate sharply - his temperature rises and consciousness becomes clouded. Vesicles begin to swell, turning into papules with dark contents. Skin, larynx and mucous membranes swell - a person is hard to breathe and talk. Even with the slightest pressure, the pustules burst, and the pus comes out onto the surface of the skin, causing itching and burning.

On day 12, the pustules begin to dry out,forming crusts. A person suffers from severe itching, and when combing the skin on it, wounds and ulcers are formed. Only after a few days the crusts begin to fall off, leaving reddish spots on the skin. In most cases, smallpox natural leaves marks on the human body - small depressions on the skin, in places where large papules (mainly on the face).

Smallpox: treatment. To date, some unknownspecific treatments for the disease - it all depends on the right care and the type of virus. With typical forms of smallpox, the prognosis is favorable. But if we talk about the hemorrhagic-pustular form of the disease, then in most cases it all ends with the death of the patient.

To relieve complications and pain to the patientprescribe antibiotics, as well as pain killers. It is worth noting that an infected person must be kept in full quarantine. Vesicles and pustules should be regularly treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. When drying crusts, wounds should be lubricated with menthol solution on petroleum jelly - this will relieve itching.

The main method of preventing smallpox isvaccination - this is exactly what allowed to destroy the virus. The vaccine contains a specific form of the virus, which is not pathogenic, but stimulates the production of strong immunity. Remember that smallpox is a very dangerous disease.