Essay about VARIOLA VIRUS - 1954 Words

VARIOLA VIRUS SMALLPOX INTRODUCTION The Variola virus, which is the most virulent member of Genus Orthopoxvirus, is the causative agent of smallpox. It specifically infects humans. The primary reason for infection in humans is due to its ability to evade the host immune responses, and avoid complement activation. Over the centuries, this naturally occurring virus has spread throughout the earth, through various environments, to cause severe outbreaks. The most devastation outbreak had a case-fatality rate of 40 percent in individuals who have not been vaccinated. The Variola virus is a double-stranded DNA virus. It has two envelopes: the outer envelope is present only in the extracellular state. The outer surface or the core†¦show more content†¦An infection of the variola virus starts out with flu-like symptoms, then rashes and scabs form throughout – similar to chickenpox, eventually in fatal cases, leading to malignant diseases such as intravascular coagulation, hypotention, cardiovascular collapse or bleeding of skin and intestinal tract (IOM, 1999). HISTORY The history of the smallpox is still a mystery. It is speculated to have appeared among human population during the first agricultural settlements in northeastern Africa, around 10,000 BC (Baraquet and Domingo, 1997). Perhaps the scars, which appear on Pharaoh Ramses V’s delicately preserved mummy dating back to 1157 BC, may be the earliest signs of smallpox exposure (Ellner, 1998). It is speculated that throughout history, exposures to smallpox have been known in all parts of the world, along with the observance of gaining immunity to smallpox upon surviving an exposure. The observance of such a phenomenon throughout history, has led to healthy individuals, to be exposed on purpose in attempts to gain immunity. Inoculation of healthy individuals by placing pus or powdered scab material from an infected individual, to the nose of the intended was recorded by the Chinese as early as tenth century (Ellner, 1998). The procedure of inoculation a healthy individual with smallpox was widely used in England by 1740. Around 1765, English physicians noticed that milkmaids were immune to smallpox, as a result of being exposed to the less severeShow MoreRelatedVaccinations And Immunization : Infection Of The Variola Virus1302 Words   |  6 Pagesby an infection of the Variola Virus. This virus has two strains, both, major and minor, with the major strain resulting in a 30% mortality rate of those infected. - The Variola virus can easily transmitted from one individual to another. Directly from one person to another, direct transmission, requires prolonged face-to-face contact, with an infected individual. The variola virus can be transmitted through the spread of bodily fluids from the infected individual. The virus can be spread throughRead MoreThe Dormant Threat of Smallpox1370 Words   |  6 Pagescauses a fever and rash. The term â€Å"pox† comes from the Latin word for spotted. It also refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person. Small Pox is cause by the Variola virus that appeared many years ago. There are two rudimentary patterns of small pox: Variola minor and Variola major, which is the worst and most common of the two. The earliest known death was Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses. Could it be a coincidence that the disease also originated from Eygpt? Edward JennerRead More Smallpox : Pathogenesis and Pathology Essay example1591 Words à ‚  |  7 Pageslabs in the world with smallpox. Smallpox is created from the virus Variola which inoculates itself through the skin and into the dermis or more commonly from prolonged, direct face to face contact. Smallpox incubates for as long as two weeks at which time it is multiplying in the lymph nodes and bone marrow. The virus is also able to enter the blood stream and travel through without being harmed by macrophages. The variola virus also causes monkeypox and cowpox however none of these are as badRead MoreHistory and Causes of Smallpox Essay850 Words   |  4 Pagesis caused by the Variola virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The members of this genus share similar genetic makeup and characteristics. Viruses belonging to this family are large and measure nearly 220-450 nm x 150-260 nm in size. DNA is the genetic material that encodes for 200 proteins, approximately, using its 200,000 base pairs. The DNA is encapsulated inside a capsid, which in turn is e nveloped by membrane proteins. Two forms of the virus cause smallpox. Variola major is the mostRead MoreThe Eradication of Smallpox Smallpox is a disease that has a very high infection rate within the1300 Words   |  6 Pagesvery high infection rate within the human population. It is a pathogen caused by the Variola virus, of which the symptoms of this are high fever, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. There are two forms of smallpox, Variola major and Variola minor. Variola major is the most common of the cases which involves a higher fever and more extensive rash. However there are actually four different types of the Variola major and they are: Ordinary which is 90% of the cases, Modified which is mild andRead MoreOverview of Smallpox Essay1045 Words   |  5 Pagessmallpox is considered the first germ warfare agent (Sherman, 2007). Smallpox comes from variola major virus. It is transmitted through inhalation by droplet infection (contact with contagious body fluids). Individuals can also become infected through direct contact with contaminated clothing or bedding. There are two types of smallpox. The Variola virus; major and minor. The more deadly form of the virus, Variola major, generally killed up to twenty five percent of the people infected and accountedRead MoreSmallpox, Etiology Of The Disease And Nursing Considerations970 Words   |  4 Pagescontrolled through the implementation of effective vaccination programs. Variola major or smallpox, is one of these diseases. Smallpox was once a major public health concern associated with a high mortality rate. Through a global vaccination effort, the disease is now considered irradiated. However, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, there are new concerns about the possible use of the variola major virus as a weapon of biologica l warfare. This paper will review the historyRead MoreThe Impact of Bioligical Weapons on Human and their Environment695 Words   |  3 Pagesthis disease but the CDC does not recommend their routine use. Variola is the virus that cause the smallpox. Variola was an important cause of death and illness in the developing world until recent times. The last reported cases of Variola was in Somalia in 1997. Variola has a high death rate and a secondary spread. Variola can infect people for long periods of time it is very stable and once you get infected the virus multiplies in the persons respiratory tract. The blood then spreads throughRead MoreWhat is Smallpox?789 Words   |  3 Pagesand contagious until the last remaining scab separates from the body. Smallpox is a member of the orthopoxvirus family and is closely related to chickenpox, cowpox, and monkeypox virus. It has two clinical forms which is Variola major and Variola minor. Variola minor is a less common form of Variola major, and Variola major is separated into four types of small pox which are: Ordinary: The most frequent type being responsible for 90% and more cases. Modified: The mild type that occurred in previousRead MoreEssay on Cause and Effects of Smallpox1520 Words   |  7 PagesCause and Effects of Smallpox Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Smallpox is a specific, infectious, and highly contagious febrile disease known only to be transmitted by humans. It is caused by a virus from air currents which are eventually passed on from person to person. Smallpox varies from a mild form without skin manifestations to a highly fatal hemorrhagic form. Edward Jenner, an English physician, discovered a means of preventing