Smallpox: What you need to know

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The mainstay of first-line treatment is smallpox vaccination within 3–4 days of exposure to the smallpox virus. Vaccination can make the disease less severe or can help prevent it. The doctor will then focus treatment to relieve symptoms and rehydrate.

1. What is smallpox?

Smallpox is caused by the smallpox virus. This is a contagious, cosmetic and ancient disease that can threaten human life, but thanks to the development of global health, this contagious disease has been eradicated. However, plans are always in place to deal with the smallpox virus.
This disease often causes initial symptoms similar to chickenpox . As a result, a lot of people learn about how smallpox and chickenpox are similar and different.
Common signs of smallpox are:
Sudden high fever; Body discomfort, fatigue; Severe back pain and headache, sometimes abdominal pain and vomiting; 2 - 4 days the appearance of an pruritic rash; The rash develops through stages: maculopapular, vesicular, pustular, and scaly; Your injury to the scab will leave a scar; Smallpox in children can develop complications related to the lungs.

2. If you have smallpox, can you get it again?

So when I got smallpox, did I get it again? Accordingly, in some cases, a person who has had smallpox in the past, if re-infected, may not become ill or present with mild systemic symptoms, an atypical rash, and often no periods. board progress.
For severe disease, the mortality/infection rate in people with smallpox is about 15 - 40%. Death can occur as early as day 2 or 3, but usually within 2 weeks.
Mild disease is associated with mortality usually less than 1%, but rash symptoms still occur. Symptoms are similar to those in the severe form, but the systemic effects of this form are usually less severe.

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3. What should you do when you have smallpox?

To date, there is no effective treatment for smallpox. Therefore, if you have smallpox, you need to see a doctor to find a treatment.
The mainstay of first-line treatment is smallpox vaccination within 3–4 days of exposure to the smallpox virus. Vaccinations can make the disease less severe or can help prevent it.
Then the doctor will focus treatment to relieve symptoms and rehydrate. The treatment regimen for smallpox should be strictly followed as prescribed by the doctor. With early, proper treatment and good body care, smallpox in children and adults will not thrive, thereby reducing dangerous complications for patients.

4. Smallpox should abstain from what?

In order to ensure quick recovery of the disease, in the course of treatment, patients need to change some habits such as:
Limit contact with many people: Smallpox is a contagious disease, so the patient needs to limit Keep more people to avoid spreading the disease. Should be isolated in a separate room for 7 to 10 days with ventilation and sunlight. Do not share personal items: People with smallpox should use separate personal items such as cups, cups, spoons, chopsticks, clothes, etc. to avoid transmitting the disease. Maintain personal hygiene: Change clothes often and shower with warm water every day. Wear loose, light, and thin clothing. Diet: Eat soft, liquid foods and drink plenty of water. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
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