Cough

Black smallpox causes. Black pox

Smallpox (black smallpox)- it's spicy viral disease, characterized by general intoxication, high fever and rashes on the mucous membranes and skin.

The main property of the smallpox causative agent (Strongyloplasma variola virus) is its high resistance to external environment, especially during the drying period of crusts and pus particles. The virus persists for 35-40 days, in the dark - 80-90 days. Dry crusts pose a danger for several years.

Smallpox natural. Rice. 1 and 3. Pustular stage of smallpox. Rice. 2. Elements of the rash in smallpox: a - papular-nodular; b - vesicles, beginning suppuration; c - pustules; d - hemorrhagic purulent crusts.

Patients with smallpox are the main source of infection. They pose a danger to others from the end incubation period and until the crusts fall off. The corpse of the deceased is no less dangerous. Smallpox is transmitted by airborne droplets and with dust flows the virus is transferred to neighboring rooms. You can also become infected through underwear, dressings, and stretchers. It is possible that the baby may become infected in the womb. In this case, children are born with at different stages diseases, including those with residual scars.

Symptoms

In the case of a typical course of the disease, the incubation period can last 8-12 days. Chills, high body temperature, severe tearing pain in the lower back and limbs, thirst, dizziness, headache, vomit. Sometimes at this stage the symptoms of smallpox appear more mildly.

On the 4th day, body temperature decreases, manifestations of the disease weaken initial period, but pock marks appear on the skin and mucous membranes. Pockmarks appear first in the form of spots, then papules (blackheads), vesicles, pustules (pustules), and last stage- scars. On the mucous membranes, pockmarks turn into erosions.

On the 8-9th day, when the blisters are in the stage of suppuration, the patient’s well-being deteriorates again. Delirium begins, children begin to have convulsions.

On days 11-12, the crusts begin to dry out and fall off. This period lasts 1-2 weeks. Scars form in place of the pockmarks.

Smallpox can cause abscesses, phlegmon, sepsis, deafness, blindness, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, pleurisy, asphyxia, collapse, meningo-encephalitis, orchitis, adnexitis... These diseases are no less insidious than smallpox.

Treatment

To treat smallpox, antiviral drugs are used, immunoglobulins (drugs that can neutralize infectious agents and toxins in our body). The skin affected by the rash is treated with antiseptic agents (antiseptics). Since the infection is purulent in nature, antibiotics must be prescribed. A number of measures are being taken to eliminate general intoxication of the body.

The outcome of the disease depends on its clinical form, the age of the patient, general condition body. People who have been vaccinated before usually tolerate smallpox easily.

The mortality rate can vary depending on the form of the disease from 2% to 100%. But every case of illness or suspicion of it is an emergency, which is immediately reported to the sanitary and epidemiological station and the health department. The patient is hospitalized until complete recovery (scabs fall off) for at least 40 days.

All those in contact with the patient are isolated in a special room for 14 days and are required to undergo vaccination against smallpox. All residents are vaccinated against smallpox settlement, in which the disease was discovered. Prevention of smallpox is impossible without vaccination or smallpox vaccination.

Prevention

Previously, vaccination against smallpox was carried out with a live virus grown on the skin of a calf. Modern drugs contain a virus that is only similar to the infectious agent and have good safety indicators. The virus in the human body causes a reaction, during which immunity is developed that protects against infection. It was thanks to vaccination that developed countries were able to get rid of this disease by the middle of the 20th century.

Last case The disease was recorded in 1977 in Somalia. Various countries around the world began to systematically abandon compulsory smallpox vaccination, and on May 8, 1980, the XXXIII UN General Assembly declared the complete and unconditional victory of humanity over smallpox.

Sincerely,

Smallpox, otherwise called smallpox, is considered one of the most dangerous diseases in the world. She has high degree contagiousness, is transmitted only among people and is caused by two types of viruses - Variola major and Variola minor. Even when an infected person is cured, the risk of irreversible consequences is high: in most cases, scars of scar tissue form at the site of ulcers caused by smallpox, disfiguring the patient, and complete or partial loss of vision is also possible.

The danger of smallpox lies in the constant evolution of the virus and the formation of new strains, which can lead to more severe forms disease and complicates the healing process. The smallpox virus has amazing viability and resistance to environmental influences. For several months, it can retain its deadly activity in scales and scabs removed from the site of ulcers of patients, even despite low temperatures or drying. And when lyophilized and frozen, the virus can live for up to several years. At room temperature, the pathogen lives up to seventeen months.

Smallpox is caused by two strains of the virus, so there are only two varieties. The virus contains DNA and is antigenically related to red blood cells of the second human blood group. Therefore, when multiplying in the cytoplasm of cells, it has a particularly strong effect. negative impact on people with this blood type, weakening their immunity, hence high level morbidity and mortality of the population.

With Variola major, deaths range from 20% to 90% of patients; this is the most severe form of the disease and the most difficult to treat. Variola major leads to a clinical form of the disease with numerous hemorrhages in internal organs and painful ulcers. In addition to the terrible scars that can be seen in numerous photos, survivors subsequently acquire immunity to this infection.

Variola minor is a type of smallpox, the causative agent of alastrim, common in Africa and South America due to the low standard of living of the population. With Variola minor, deaths account for only 1 to 3% of patients. The disease caused by this virus may take longer to mild form without purulent rashes, but with fever, although less prolonged in time and not so strong. You can see what this smallpox virus looks like in the photo. There are no serious complications after the disease. Outbreaks of the disease have also been reported in Western Europe, England and North America.

Distribution methods

The source of infection and its distributor is only a person infected with the virus. Infection from one person to another usually occurs by airborne droplets with direct contact and airborne dust. Infection is also possible through infected objects, since the virus is very resistant to temperature changes and can live for a long time in dead and keratinized cells.

The airborne dust method of spread is the inhalation by a healthy person of dried particles of purulent scabs from the patient’s skin and dried mucous secretions from respiratory tract, which over time turned into small specks of dust. It's possible to get infected while on shift. bed linen or the patient's clothes. Smallpox, contained in dust particles, is carried by air currents up to 800 meters around.

Infected objects may contain particles of the patient's skin or pus or blood. After contact with skin healthy person, if he has minor injuries or wounds, he is exposed to the virus. And after some time, he will also show symptoms of the disease.

A more rare and not fully confirmed method of transmission of infection includes fly vectors that come into contact with the skin of an infected person. They are not the source of the disease, but can carry particles of the patient’s pus on the abdomen and paws.

No spread through food has been observed.

Symptoms of the disease

Smallpox exhibits the first symptoms of the disease during a period of 8 to 14 days, maximum term is considered 21 days.

Stages of the disease:

Elementary:

It is inherent in the appearance high temperature, chills, severe pain in the lumbar region, sacrum and limbs; Also, the initial stage is accompanied by dizziness and severe headache, thirst and vomiting. In some cases, this period may take more than mild symptoms. Under these circumstances, and before the rash appears on initial stage It is difficult for doctors to diagnose the disease, since in many respects it has similar symptoms with another number of diseases, including influenza, which can be seen in the photos of those infected at the initial stage.

Rash stage:

Approximately 2-4 days after the onset of symptoms, hemorrhagic, roseolous, morbilliform or erythematous rashes appear in the area chest up to the armpits and in the area inner surface hips and groin. Smallpox rashes are accompanied by hemorrhages, as can be seen in numerous photos. Hemorrhagic rash does not go away for a long time, while the other three types do not go away for just a few hours. In those vaccinated against smallpox and in those infected with the Variola minor strain, symptoms are mild, especially the rash.

Stage of suppuration:

Starting from the fourth day, weaken initial symptoms smallpox and pockmarks appear, which over time will turn into erosions, throughout the body and in the mucous membranes of the mouth, trachea, larynx, nose, bronchi, in the conjunctiva, female genital organs, rectum, in urethra. In those vaccinated against smallpox and in those infected with the Variola minor strain, only intoxication and malaise are detected; scars do not form, since the rash is insignificant or absent.

The last stage during which recovery or death occurs:

The state of health of patients worsens to delirium and impaired consciousness due to suppuration of blisters and ulcers on the 8th or 9th day. Drying and falling off of the crusts of the ulcers lasts 1 or 2 weeks, after which cicatricial scars form in their place, which are clearly visible in photographs of infected people.

Complications of the disease

Possible complications after illness may include:

leukocytosis ( increased content leukocytes in the blood, caused by the body's resistance to the virus);
iritis ( severe inflammation iris, leading to redness, pus, change in color of the iris, decreased visual acuity and developing into iridocyclitis); what does it look like eyeball affected by iritis can be seen in the photo;
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain);
pneumonia (pneumonia);
keratitis (inflammation and clouding of the cornea of the eyes, accompanied by severe pain and redness of the eye itself); what effect keratitis has on the cornea can be seen in the photo;
sepsis (infection of blood and tissues by an infectious agent with severe inflammatory process throughout the body);
panophthalmitis (infection in the eye tissue, accompanied by purulent inflammation); the photo will clearly show the area affected by panophthalmitis;
meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and its membranes, which can progress to spinal cord, causing paralysis of the entire body);
infectious-toxic shock.

Medical diagnosis of smallpox

Smallpox is diagnosed by examining fluid from blisters and pustules, as well as discharged scabs. Virological, virusoscopic and serological methods are used. The most effective method is considered to be electron or light microscopy.

The doctor also diagnoses the disease by external manifestations, a differential diagnosis is carried out comparing the symptoms and rash with scarlet fever, measles, leptospirosis, chickenpox and other diseases.

The diagnosis of smallpox can only be made by a doctor.

Treatment of smallpox

Smallpox can only be treated by medication. The doctor prescribes the patient primarily antiviral drugs, such as metisazone, and intramuscular injections anti-smallpox immunoglobulin. Also prescribed by a doctor antiseptic drugs to prevent the development bacterial infection in ulcers before they become scars, and in inflamed mucous membranes. In cases where complications due to a bacterial infection have already occurred, antibiotics are prescribed wide range actions. These can be macrolides, semisynthetic penicillins and cephalosporins. Plasmapheresis and ultrafiltration are used to detoxify the body and purify the blood; in addition, injections of crystalloid and colloid solutions are given. Scars cannot be cured, as you can see from the photos of recovered people.

Side effects

Side effects of metisazone may include nausea and dizziness, and in some cases vomiting. Anti-smallpox immunoglobulin does not have side effects in most cases, although it may lead to hyperemia or slight increase temperatures up to 37.5.

Treatment with folk remedies

There are traditional methods treatments for smallpox, but they are completely ineffective. Currently, only drug treatment is recognized as effective.

Prevention

To date, smallpox is not dangerous, since the virus exists exclusively in research laboratories. Black smallpox was destroyed when a mass vaccination procedure was carried out and subsequent revaccinations of the population of the countries in which the virus spread.

When the first symptoms appear, the infected person is isolated and placed in strict quarantine. Then a smallpox vaccination is given to people who have come into contact with him in the last few days, after which they are also placed in quarantine for prevention. Immunity to the disease begins to develop 1-1.5 weeks after vaccination, and the effect lasts for a period of 3 to 5 years. Currently, vaccination of people who have not had contact with a carrier of the virus is not necessary.

Smallpox and nutrition

The patient needs light food, mainly vegetable, so that the body’s strength is spent on restoration, and not on digesting food. It is also important to remember that mucous membranes that are inflamed and have numerous ulcers will not be able to absorb heavy foods, so it is recommended to consume vegetable soups and purees, diluted juices, fruits, low-fat dairy products, as well as eating porridge.

From the article you will learn what smallpox is and what types of viruses can cause it. You can familiarize yourself with historical facts, talking about the elimination of the disease. The article will also inform you about the symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment of this terrible infection.

Smallpox

People have not been able to get rid of the smallpox virus for thousands of years. Only in 1980 did the WHO (World Health Organization) declare the elimination of this virus in all corners of the planet and allow the cessation of vaccination against it.

Smallpox is acute infectious disease. It can be caused by two types of virus: Variola major and Variola minor. They are also known as variola or variola vera. The names are derived from varius (“spotted”) or varus (“pimple”).

For reference! At one time, V. major caused the death of 40% of people infected with smallpox. V. minor caused light form diseases - alastrim (small / white smallpox), which killed about 1% of those infected.

Scientists suggest that the first infection of the human body with the smallpox virus occurred approximately 10 thousand years BC. Proof of this is found on the mummy of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses V, characteristic of of this type diseases pustular rashes.

Historical facts

At the end of the 18th century, smallpox killed about 400 thousand people. human lives in Europe, including 5 reigning monarchs.
A third of infected people became victims of blindness.
In the 18th - 19th centuries, about 60% of adults and more than 80% of children died from infection.
In the 20th century, smallpox caused the death of approximately 500 million people.
In 1967, 15 million people were infected, of whom 2 million died.
After the start of vaccination (19-20 century), only in 1979 the WHO confirmed the need for large-scale vaccinations, which led to the victory over smallpox.

Development mechanism

The virus penetrates into human body through the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, then through lymph nodes, in which it multiplies, enters the blood.

The spread of the virus throughout the body occurs approximately 3-4 days after infection. Its strain (genus, pure culture) penetrates the bone marrow and spleen, where it multiplies again. But even during this period, the symptoms of the disease practically do not manifest themselves.

Pay attention! From the moment the virus enters the body, with the typical development of smallpox, the incubation period is about 12 days.

After the incubation period, the virus, again entering the blood, provokes an increase in temperature in the infected person and worsens the general state of health. A maculopapular rash appears on the patient’s skin (the rash consists of dense papules of light purple or dark burgundy color), within 2-3 days the papules fill with liquid.

Consequences

Complications that could be caused by the smallpox virus manifested themselves:

scars on the skin, most often on the face (occurred in 65-85 percent of survivors);
blindness - occurred due to inflammation of the cornea of the eyes;
deafness - infection provoked the appearance purulent otitis, damaging the epithelium of the inner and middle ear;
deformation of the limbs - which is a consequence of arthritis and osteomyelitis caused by the smallpox virus (observed in approximately 2-5% of cases).

Classification and clinical features

In addition to the above-mentioned clinical forms of smallpox, Variola major is the most severe and common, Variola minor is rare, less severe, there are other types of this infection that differ varying degrees gravity.

Smallpox without rash (variola sine eruptione)

Subclinical (occurring without severe symptoms) infection can be detected in vaccinated people. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of fever after the incubation period. During this period of time the patient experiences:

general intoxication of the body;
myalgia (pain in the muscles of the whole body, from head to toe);
mild pain in the sacrum (bone in the lower back, base of the spine);
low-grade fever body (37.1 – 38 0 C).

Confirmation of infection of the body can only be done by studying the composition of the blood for antibodies or by isolating the virus in tissue cultures taken from the patient.

Ordinary

Common smallpox accounts for 90% of all cases of the disease, it is divided into confluent, semi-confluent and discrete:

Drain rash– forms on the skin of the face and bends of the limbs in the form large spots, on other parts of the body the papules are located separately. Mortality: 62% among unvaccinated and 26.3% among vaccinated patients.
Semi-drained– papules merge together on the face, individual pimples cover the skin of the body and limbs. The mortality rate among unvaccinated people is 37%, among patients who received the vaccine 8.4%.
Discrete– smallpox papules are scattered throughout the body, between them clear skin. Fatal outcome among vaccinated patients 0.7%, among patients who did not receive the vaccine - 9.3%.

Modified (varioloid)

Modified smallpox, characterized by more light current diseases than the ordinary type of pathology. It is also available as drain, semi-drain and discrete. Develops in previously vaccinated individuals. At the first stage of the disease, symptoms are almost invisible. During the first 3-5 days the patient has a low-grade fever ( elevated temperature body 37.1 – 38 0 C).

Skin rashes appear on days 2-4, initially in the form of spots, which then turn into regular and watery pimples. Pustules (pimples with purulent contents) do not appear in this form of the disease.

The course of the disease is characterized by intensity and the absence of symptoms of intoxication. The mortality rate among vaccinated and unvaccinated people is 0%.

Flat pox

Severe form of the disease. Most often it occurs on the skin of unvaccinated people in the form of flat elements, as if recessed into the skin. A flat rash happens:

Drain– papules merge and form areas with purulent blisters.
Semi-drained– acne on the face as in the confluent form of the disease; on other parts of the body, papules appear separately.
Discrete– flat elements of rashes appear on any part of the body, all over the skin, with clean skin between them.

Manifestations on the skin are accompanied by severe intoxication of the body. Mortality rate among unvaccinated patients is 96.5%, among vaccinated patients – 66.7%.

Hemorrhagic (fulminant)

It is a rare but very severe form of the disease, in which hemorrhages develop in the mucous membranes and skin. Hence the name of the disease - hemorrhage (bleeding).

The disease is divided into two stages:

Early– hemorrhage in the skin and mucous membranes occurs at the prodromal (initial) stage of the disease, before the rash appears. The mortality rate among unvaccinated people, as well as among patients who received the vaccine, is 100%.
Late– hemorrhages become noticeable on the patient’s skin after a rash, during the period of suppuration of pustules.

Alastrim (minor/white pox)

Alastrim is caused by the V. minor virus. For initial stage The pathology is characterized by increased body temperature, nausea and vomiting, and headache. On the third day, after the onset of the disease, body temperature returns to normal, general health stabilizes, but a light blistering rash appears on the skin.

The blisters burst over time, and the ulcers formed in their place epithelialize (the skin wound closes). There is no second stage of the disease.

Diagnostics

Mild forms of smallpox are similar to chickenpox, which requires differential diagnosis which will allow you to accurately establish a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with a number of diseases, the symptoms of which coincide with the signs of smallpox, among them hemorrhagic diathesis(hemorrhage under the skin and mucous membranes), toxicoderma ( acute inflammation skin) and herpes (lifelong infection of the skin and mucous membranes).

A simple diagnosis of the disease involves:

Examination of the skin for the presence of a characteristic rash.
Conducting a virological study of scrapings (taken from elements of the rash, the contents of papules, from the mucous membrane of the mouth and nasopharynx).
MRI of the brain (to detect swelling).
Donating blood for a general analysis.

Pay attention! If you suspect infection with the Variola virus, it is very important to immediately consult an infectious disease doctor.

Because The smallpox virus has been destroyed, then the risk of contracting it is extremely low. Currently, chickenpox is a fairly common pathology. So watch the video below and learn all about its treatment methods.

General principles of therapy

Treatment of smallpox begins with hospitalization of the patient. Quarantine should last 40 days, from the first symptoms of the disease. The patient is credited with:

Bed rest - lasts until the rash disappears.
Air baths help reduce the feeling of itching.
Drug treatment - prescribe drugs for intramuscular, oral and external use ( antimicrobial antibiotics, immunoglobulin, anti-itch ointments - see examples below).
Gentle dietary food- appointed to mandatory, represents table number 4.

Drug treatment

First of all, the infected patient is attributed etiotropic treatment(allows you to eliminate the cause of the disease, in in this case we are talking about the viruses V. major and V. minor). The list of prescribed drugs includes:

"Metisazon" is a drug in tablet form.
Human smallpox immunoglobulin - intramuscular injection. (An artificial protein compound recognizes and neutralizes the virus in the body).
Semi-synthetic penicillins are antimicrobial antibiotics (“Methicillin”, “Oxacillin”, “Nafcillin”).
Macrolides - antimicrobial antibiotics With low level toxicity (“Azithromycin”).
Cephalosporins - antibacterial drugs(“Cefixime”, “Ceftibuten”).

To block the mechanism of disease development is attributed pathogenetic treatment with the use of vitamins, cardiovascular and antiallergic drugs, which the doctor chooses, taking into account the characteristics of the patient’s body.

In order to dry the rash, a 3-5% solution of potassium permanganate is prescribed, for treating the oral mucosa - a solution of sodium bicarbonate, for instillation of the eyes - 15% "Sodium Sulfacyl". Itching is relieved with 1% menthol ointment (after crusts have formed).

Table number 4 - sample menu

8:00 Liquid oatmeal, low-sour cottage cheese, herbal tea from burdock root, chamomile, marigold.
11:00 Blueberry compote (unsweetened).
13:00 Chicken soup with semolina, steamed beef meatballs, rice porridge, fruit jelly.
15:00 Rosehip compote (drink warm for better digestibility).
18:00 Steamed omelette buckwheat porridge, herbal tea.

With diet number 4, porridge should be cooked in water and consumed grated. Prohibited foods: eggs in any form, fatty broth, milk, all berries and fruits, coffee, chocolate, any flour products.

Question and answer

Are smallpox vaccinations given today?

Today, such vaccinations are not performed in most countries, including the CIS, since they became optional after the disease was completely eradicated from the planet. Routine vaccination preserved in Cuba and Israel; newborn children are vaccinated in Egypt.

Is there a risk today of becoming infected with the Variola major or Variola minor virus?

In general, no. But scientists continue to consider smallpox as a potential dangerous disease. Explaining this by the fact that strains of these viruses are still stored in laboratories located in Russia and the United States. If they are used as biological weapons, then refusal to vaccinate will result in a massive defeat for humanity.

Why do scientists store virus strains?

Firstly, the strains can serve science, and secondly, it was found that proteins produced by the variola virus can be used to make medicines for septic shock and acute viral disease Marburg.

What to remember:

Smallpox is dangerous infectious disease, with serious consequences.
Diagnosis of the disease must necessarily include differential analysis, which will allow you to accurately determine the causative agent of the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Therapy for smallpox includes not only the use medications, but also compliance with dietary nutrition.

It is a human infectious disease that is particularly dangerous infections, caused by the Orthopoxvirus variola virus, characterized by fever, intoxication and specific rashes on the skin and mucous membranes. Smallpox spreads by aerosols, and the pathogen is so stable in air environment, which can cause infection of people not only in the same room with the patient, but also in neighboring rooms. In the mid-1970s, the complete eradication of smallpox in developed countries led to the abolition of preventive vaccination against this disease.

General information

It is a human infectious disease, classified as a particularly dangerous infection, caused by the Orthopoxvirus variola virus, characterized by fever, intoxication and specific rashes on the skin and mucous membranes.

Characteristics of the pathogen

The Orthopoxvirus variola virus belongs to the group of animal and human pox viruses and is resistant to environment, easily tolerates low temperatures and drying out, and can remain viable when frozen for several years. At room temperature it persists in smallpox crusts for up to a year, in sputum and mucus for up to three months. When heated to 100° C, the dried virus dies only after 5-10 minutes.

The reservoir and source of smallpox is a sick person. The virus is released throughout the entire period of the rash; patients are especially contagious in the first 8-10 days. Asymptomatic and convalescent carriage is not observed, and chronicity is not typical. The predominant localization of the pathogen in the human body is the mucous membranes oral cavity, nose, pharynx, upper respiratory tract, excretion occurs with coughing, sneezing, and during breathing. The skin can also serve as a site for pathogen release.

Smallpox is transmitted via the aerosol mechanism mainly by airborne droplets and airborne dust. An aerosol with a pathogen can travel with the air current over a considerable distance, affecting people located in the same room with the patient, and penetrating into neighboring rooms. Smallpox tends to spread in multi-story apartment buildings, medical institutions, crowded teams.

Human natural sensitivity is high. Unimmunized persons become infected in the vast majority of cases; the percentage of immune persons is no more than 12 out of 100 unvaccinated (on average 5-7%). After surviving the disease, stable long-term (more than 10 years) immunity is formed.

Symptoms of smallpox

The incubation period for smallpox is usually 9-14 days, but can increase to 22 days. There are periods of the disease: prodromal (or period of precursors), rashes, suppuration and convalescence. The prodromal period lasts from two to four days, there is fever, symptoms of intoxication (headache, chills, weakness, muscle pain, lower back). At the same time, a rash resembling exanthema from measles or scarlet fever may appear on the thighs and chest.

By the end of the prodromal period, the fever usually subsides. On the 4-5th day, a smallpox rash appears (the period of rash), initially representing small roseola, progressing into papules, and after 2-3 days - into vesicles. The vesicles have the appearance of multi-chamber small vesicles, surrounded by hyperemic skin and having a small umbilical depression in the center. The rash is localized on the face, torso, limbs, not excluding the palms and soles; unlike chickenpox, the elements of the rash in one zone are monomorphic. As the rash progresses, fever and intoxication increase again.

Towards the end of the first week of the disease, at the beginning of the second, a period of suppuration begins: the temperature rises sharply, the condition worsens, and the eruptive elements suppurate. The pockmarks lose their multi-chambered nature, merging into a single purulent pustule, and become painful. A week later, the pustules open, forming black necrotic crusts. The skin begins to itch very much. At 20-30 days the period of convalescence begins. The patient's body temperature gradually normalizes from 4-5 weeks of illness, pockmarks heal, leaving behind pronounced peeling, and later - scars, sometimes very deep.

Highlight heavy clinical forms smallpox: papular-hemorrhagic (black smallpox), confluent and smallpox purpura. Moderate course has scattered smallpox, mild - smallpox without rash and fever: varioloid. Smallpox usually occurs in this form in vaccinated individuals. Characterized by rare rashes that do not leave scars, there are no intoxication symptoms.

Complications of smallpox

Most often, smallpox is complicated by infectious-toxic shock. Complications noted inflammatory in nature from the outside nervous system: myelitis, encephalitis, neuritis. There is a possibility of joining secondary infection and development purulent complications: abscesses, phlegmons, lymphadenitis, pneumonia and pleurisy, otitis, osteomyelitis. Sepsis may develop. After suffering from smallpox, there may be consequences in the form of blindness or deafness.

Diagnosis and treatment of smallpox

Diagnosis of smallpox is made using a virusoscopic examination using electron microscope, as well as virological and serological methods: microprecipitation in agar, ELISA. The discharge of smallpox pustules and crusts is subject to examination. From 5-8 days of the disease, it is possible to determine specific antibodies using RN, RSK, RTGA, ELISA.

Treatment for smallpox consists of administering antiviral drugs(metisazone), administration of immunoglobulins. Skin affected by smallpox rash is treated antiseptics. Additionally (due to the purulent nature of the infection), antibiotic therapy is prescribed: antibiotics from the groups of semisynthetic penicillins, macrolides and cephalosporins are used. Symptomatic therapy consists of active detoxification with the help of intravenous infusion glucose solutions, water-salt solutions. Sometimes glucocorticoids are included in therapy.

Forecast and prevention of smallpox

The prognosis depends on the severity of the course and the condition of the patient’s body. Vaccinated individuals usually experience mild forms of smallpox. Severe smallpox with a hemorrhagic component can result in death.

Currently specific prevention smallpox is produced in order to prevent its importation from epidemically dangerous regions. The eradication of smallpox in developed countries was achieved through mass vaccination and revaccination of the population over several generations; at present, planned universal vaccination is impractical. If a patient with smallpox is identified, he is isolated, and quarantine measures are also carried out for everyone who had contact with the patient. The source of infection is thoroughly disinfected, contact persons vaccinated within the first three days from the moment of contact.

Previously, smallpox was considered one of the most terrible diseases leading to the death of the patient. Now this virus has been completely defeated, so it is almost impossible to meet it. This infectious disease is transmitted by airborne droplets through direct contact with an infected person. Outwardly, it manifests itself as a severe rash that covers the patient’s body with large black blisters.

The greatest risk of infection occurs in the first week after the rash, because at this time the person’s saliva accumulates maximum quantity infected particles. Once scars form on the skin, the possibility of transmitting infection is significantly reduced, but does not disappear completely.

The smallpox virus begins to develop when it enters the body, and already on the fourth day, along with the bloodstream, it spreads throughout the body and, mainly, to the area bone marrow and spleen. is about 8 days, that is, during this time the disease does not manifest itself in any way.

To the first symptomatic manifestations applies sharp increase body temperature and general weakness. After spreading throughout blood vessels body, infected cells begin to penetrate the upper layers of the skin. causes swelling and blistering.

Already on the 12th day, smallpox is manifested by pain in the muscles, back, severe headache, accompanied by vomiting. Against the background of general malaise, clouding of reason is observed. Two weeks after contracting the infection, a rash appears, which literally turns into blisters filled with liquid within 24 hours. Gradually, the rashes harden and darken, then burst, forming wounds. And already three weeks after infection they become covered with a crust, after healing of which scars remain.

First of all, smallpox appears in the mucous membrane of the mouth, as well as on the face and hands, gradually spreading throughout the body. Moreover, the speed of spread of the infection is amazing, because the rash, which could be traced only on the face, appears on the patient’s entire body the very next day.

Smallpox disease can be mistaken for ordinary chickenpox. Its distinctive feature is that after the rash the patient feels much better, the body temperature normalizes, while with chickenpox the rash only worsens the well-being of the infected person.

As a rule, people who received vaccinations 20 years ago are reliably protected from contracting this infection. Vaccination is used as a preventative measure for direct contact with a sick person. The vaccination must be administered within 4 days from the date of contact. At the same time, all relatives and close people are under the close supervision of doctors, because they could catch the infection at any time.

After vaccination, a small wound forms at this site; it contains a live, active virus, which means it can lead to the spread of the rash throughout the body, as well as infecting another person. To avoid such consequences, both the person receiving the vaccine and everyone around him should thoroughly wash his hands.

According to theoretical data, this disease is not inherited, that is, a pregnant woman infected with smallpox can carry a baby. But in practice this is very difficult to achieve, because the general condition of the expectant mother is such that she will not be able to withstand it on her own. birth process. The last case of smallpox infection was observed in 1977, after which it was possible to get rid of the virus forever.

Smallpox is a disease that modern doctors could not cure. All that medicine is strong at is maintaining the general condition of the patient with the help of antibiotics. Thus, only the symptoms are eliminated, but not the virus itself. However, this disease has been completely eradicated thanks to widespread vaccination, so it should be feared reoccurrence not worth it.