small pox

Small pox, which was once the most feared disease known by mankind started out in
the days of Christopher Columbus. The disease set out to change the lives of the people
in the worse way. It became known as an epidemic disease that ended up killing
hundreds of people. Small pox started out in Hispaniola and because of no cure, it
traveled to the island of Puerto Rico, and then Cuba. It was only a matter of time until it
spread to the mainland, somewhere in America. In the Middle Ages, small pox was a
highly contagious disease which often lead to death if not treated. In this term paper you
will read and learn about the causes, symptoms and treatments of this horrible disease.

Small pox which was often refereed to as a life threatening disease, is caused by a
virus, which was not discovered until the nineteenth century. Most of the victims whom
acquired small pox, was a result of face to face contact. It is passed through the nose
where tiny particles are released when the infected person sneezes, also by the mouth
where particles are once again ejected when the victim coughs. The disease can be
transmitted by dried small pox scabs and through materials the infected person has come
in contact with. The virus is reproduced in the lymphoid tissue and released into the
body. Virus reproduction begins when the virion comes into contact with a suitable host
cell. The virus must interact with a receptor on the cell surface. The infectious cycle
usually consists of two stages. The first stage makes the proteins necessary for the
protein to form. The second stage forms the adult virion to start the attack on the body.
Smallpox attack with no warning.

There are several painful symptoms that are brought upon by this disease. In most of
the cases, symptoms in a new victim will occur ten to twelve days later. Patients will
develop chills, high fever, and nausousness. The fevers may reach up to 105 degrees
farenht. In three or four days later a rash erupts and the fever and discomfort may
subside. It begins on the face, then spreading to the chest, arms, back and finally the
legs. It consists of hard red lumps which become pimple like, swelling and containing
puss. "The pustules gave the disease its name, by which it was first known in the west as
Variola" (Giblin 59). This rash itches severely but scratching must be avoided in order to
prevent another infection from forming. "Up to forty percent of the patients died, in the
rest, scabs eventually formed and then fell off, leaving perma