Small pox is a disease caused by POX VIRUS that is transmitted from person to person that causes high fever, characteristic rash and may kill about one-third of those infected. Small pox is the only disease that has been completely wiped out throughout the world. Smallpox is also potentially one of the most devastating biological weapons ever conceived.
SYMPTOMS:
- Fever, body aches, headache, chills and particularly backache.
- Rashes appear within 48-72 hours and followed sores which turn to be pus filled -->
A suspected smallpox victim is isolated. All emergency medical services and hospital personnel exposed to someone with small requires “Quarantine” and vaccination if they have not been previously vaccinated.
- Medical treatment for smallpox eases its symptoms. This includes replacing fluid lost from fever and skin breakdown.
- Antibiotics may be needed for secondary infections.
- The infected person is kept in isolation for 17 days or until the scabs fall off.
- Vaccinations and post exposure treatments are the best way in curing the Smallpox.
- A decoction of Neem bark, Pitta Papra, Parval leaves, Kutki, Aroosa, Khus Khus and sandalwood along with parh, Yavasa and Amla can deter the smallpox virus that causes it. The mixture must be taken thrice a day which will be sour and can be sweetened with raw sugar.
- Fluids (such as milk, fruit juices) and plenty of water should be given to patients.
- The skin has to be kept clean.
- Medications can help in controlling the fever and pain.
- Vaccine can be administered up to four or five days after a person suffering with the virus which will help in less severe case of the illness.
- How the vaccine administered: The inoculation is injected with a special two pronged needle dipped into vaccine solution, the needle is then used to prick the skin 15 times i.e., mostly of the upper arm.
- The pricked spot will become sore and a red itchy bump develops in 3-4 days becomes a pus filled blister and begins to drain.
- During the second week, the blister dries up and the scab that forms eventually falls off, leaving a small scar.
- The vaccination site is to be covered with the bandage and the sore should not be touched.
