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Smallpox lesions

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Smallpox

Alternative Names: Variola - major and minor; Variola Symptoms: Smallpox has two forms: 1) Variola major -- which is a serious illness with a mortality rate according to the CDC of 30% or more, in unvaccinated people, and 2) Variola minor -- a milder infection with a mortality rate of less than 1%. The incubation period for smallpox is approximately 12-14 days. The symptoms are: High fever Fatigue Severe headache Backache Malaise Rash, raised and pink on the skin, starting centrally and spreading outwards. (First the mucosa of the mouth and throat, then face, forearms, trunk, and legs. Rash turns to pus-filled lesions that become crusty on the eighth or ninth day.) Delirium Vomiting and diarrhea Excessive bleeding Signs and tests: Virus can be seen by electron microscope and by culture. Low white blood cell count initially, that increases later in the disease. Low platelet count. DIC panel can be positive in cases of hemorrhage. Antibodies turn positive soon after the infection is complete.

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