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What diseases are similar to smallpox?
In particular, there has been a rise in cases of monkeypox, which is closely related to smallpox; both belong to the poxvirus family called orthopoxvirus. (The two diseases have similar symptoms, but monkeypox is less deadly than smallpox: The fatality rate for monkeypox is 10 percent, versus 30 percent for smallpox.)
Which disease is most confused with smallpox?
In contrast to chickenpox, the disease most confused with smallpox at the earliest stages (caused by varicella zoster virus infection), smallpox lesions commonly occurred on the palms and soles and could be found at the same stage of evolution on affected parts of the body.
What looks like small pox but isn t?
The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which has been eradicated worldwide.
Is syphilis and smallpox the same thing?
Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being rinderpest in 2011. The term “smallpox” was first used in Britain in the early 16th century to distinguish the disease from syphilis, which was then known as the “great pox”.
Are there different strains of smallpox?
It is also the most common form of smallpox. There are four types of variola major smallpox: ordinary (the most frequent); modified (mild and occurring in previously vaccinated persons); flat; and hemorrhagic. Historically, variola major has a case-fatality rate of about 30%.
How is smallpox different from other viruses?
Smallpox is caused by 1 of 2 closely related strains: variola major and variola minor. The 2 viruses are indistinguishable except by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Variola minor infection (known as Alastrim) causes fewer systemic symptoms, a less extensive rash, less scarring, and fewer fatalities.
What microorganism causes smallpox?
Before smallpox was eradicated, it was a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It was contagious—meaning, it spread from one person to another. People who had smallpox had a fever and a distinctive, progressive skin rash.
Are there different types of smallpox?
There are four types of variola major smallpox: ordinary (the most frequent); modified (mild and occurring in previously vaccinated persons); flat; and hemorrhagic.
Chickenpox is the most important disease likely to be confused with smallpox. It is caused by a different virus. In smallpox, fever is present for 2 to 4 days before the rash begins, while with chickenpox, fever and rash develop at the same time.
What type of pathogen is smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by infection with the variola virus. The virus can be transmitted: Directly from person to person. Direct transmission of the virus requires fairly prolonged face-to-face contact.