Smallpox is a viral infection that affected people throughout history before it was eradicated in 1979. It was one of the deadliest diseases that killed millions of people around the world, and its symptoms were easy to identify.

Smallpox is a highly disease caused by the Variola virus. It is spread by respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected skin. After entering the body, the virus multiplies and travels to the lymphatic system and then to the bloodstream. It takes about seven to 17 days for symptoms to appear after contracting the virus.

At the onset of the disease, the infected person may experience a high fever, headache, and muscle aches. These symptoms can progress quickly to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Within a few days, the infected person develops a rash that starts on the face and then spreads to the trunk and limbs. The rash progresses from small bumps to pustules which eventually form scabs. These scabs later fall off, leaving pitted scars on the skin.

Smallpox is known for its distinctive rash. The rash is the most significant feature of the disease. It begins as red spots that appear on the face, mouth, and throat. Over the next few days, the spots spread to the trunk and limbs. The spots then become firm, raised bumps called papules. The papules fill with fluid and turn into pus-filled blisters called pustules. The pustules are deeply embedded in the skin and surrounded by a rim of redness. They are painful and itchy, and they can be accompanied by a fever.

As the rash progresses, the pustules begin to crust and scab over. The scabs eventually fall off, leaving behind a pitted scar. People who survived often bore the scars of the disease for the rest of their lives. The severity of the rash depended on the individual’s immune response to the virus.

Smallpox can also affect the eyes, leading to a condition called ocular smallpox. In ocular smallpox, the virus infects the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyes and eyelids. This can cause swelling, redness, and discharge from the eyes. In severe cases, it can lead to vision loss, and in some cases, blindness.

Variola major, the most severe form of smallpox, resulted in a mortality rate of 30-35%. Those who survived the disease were left with significant complications. Many people who survived the disease suffered from severe scarring, blindness and impaired immune function, which left them susceptible to other illnesses.

In conclusion, smallpox was a dreaded disease that killed millions of people throughout history before it was eradicated in the late 1970s. The disease manifested itself through a variety of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and a distinctive rash that began on the face and spread to the trunk and limbs. The rash first appeared as red spots, then progressed to pustules, and eventually formed scabs. Smallpox is regarded as a global public health success story, and the continued monitoring of smallpox is necessary to ensure that the virus does not re-emerge.

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