Smallpox Virus Research Paper

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Pages: 4

Type of pathogen (Virus): Smallpox is caused by a virus called Variola A virus is an infected agent that mainly involves nucleic acid molecules in protein coats. Viruses are too tiny to be observed by light microscopy. They are able to multiply themselves with the living cells. The smallpox virus has two forms one that’s more threatening than the other. Both forms of smallpox can be fatal but the more dangerous one is called variola major, this form has been classified as for about 30% of people infected. The other form is called variola minor which of course is a less deadly form of smallpox with a rate of fatality rate of around 1%.
How it affects the body: When infect (once caught the contagious part) the virus begins at the lungs. Once
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Once the virus is moving inside the host’s body cells, it will spread and multiple rapidly. This rapid movements occur between 7 to 17days before any symptoms start to show anyway on their body or in their body. During that 7 to 17 day pre-symptomatic period, a host cannot spread or be contagious of the virus until after that period, only contagious after signs and symptoms are starting to show. This spreading can happen until the host’s blisters and scab have healed from the smallpox.
Treatment and control: No effective treatment is known for the smallpox virus. There is however a way to treat this virus but not cure it for the symptomatic patients which consists of the following steps:
The hosts must be isolated until a qualified personal examines the hosts and gives an all clear. This all clear would be give when all scabs have fallen off which would take around 3-4 weeks after rashes had occurred or disappeared. To try and prevent the spreading of this variole virus to unimmunised people the following recommendations should be undertaking:
• The fluid and electrolyte balance should be carefully monitored to avoid dehydration
• Prescribed medications should be used for fevers and pain
• Good nutritional balance in food and liquids should be maintained at all