Smallpox-Matt+and+Yousef

Smallpox History/background information: == Theories conclude that Smallpox originated 3,000 years ago. The first case is thought to be that of Pharaoh Ramses V, who on his remains had pockmarks that suggested infection from the virus. Smallpox caused havoc in the 20th century with an estimated 300-500 million deaths. Throughout the early 1950's, it's estimated that 50 million cases sprung each year. It spread throughout the entire world, across all of the continents, targeting Africa especially. It has been around for thousands of years. There was a major outbreak in the United Sates in 1949. Smallpox has been pretty much depleted due to everyone getting vaccinated for it. The Last known case of the virus was in 1978 in England. The virus is eradicated, however samples of it are left in Russia and Atlanta, Georgia. == Are there always symptoms or does the virus stay "dormant" for periods of time?
 * Overview: Smallpox in a highly contagious and dangerous virus and is often fatal. There is no cure or treatment for this disease. However, it is preventable through vaccination. The most obvious symptom is raised bumps that appear on the face and body of the infected. Since 9/11, The Centers for Disease Control have been warning that there is a possibility that Smallpox will be used as a weapon by bioterrorists. **
 * The Incubation Period for Smallpox take anywhere from 7-17 days. This means that during this time, people are infected, but do not endure any of the symptoms. **

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 * Symptoms:

- Scabs Resolved: Not contagious, all scabs have fallen off.


Details about virus structure/composition.
 * How it is spread : Small pox spreads via contact with the bodily fluids of another human being, or objects contaminated with the bodily fluids of the contaminated. Face-to-face contact is also another common way it spreads. Rarely is it spread through the air or animals such as insects. **


 * It consists of one molecule of double stranded DNA at the core. It is shaped somewhat like a brick. The outer-shell is made up of many proteins. **

Details about infection:
 * How the infection happens: The Virus normally attacks the respiratory system of an organism. This means that the specific cells that are targeted are that of lymph nodes in the lungs. Virus particles land on the surface of a host cell, and hijack, much like all other viruses. The particles begin to release genetic info or DNA. When this happens, they begin to make copies of themselves, as many as 100,000. After using the host cell, the virus abandons it, leaving it to die. The virus then continues to spread to other cells via the bloodstream. It can infect many organs: Liver, Spleen, and most commonly, the mucous membranes of the mouth and skin, which leads to the spots or “pox.” **

How the human body fight the virus:

How has the virus changed over time:
 * Without a vaccine, the human immune system will not know how to fight the virus. However with the vaccine, the immune system will have the right antibodies to fight the virus because it has already been pre-infected. That is why a vaccine is so crucial when it comes to surviving smallpox. **
 * The virus has mutated in the past into two types: Variola Major is the most dangerous and common. It accounts for 90% of Smallpox cases. It’s mortality rate is high, at 30%. It’s symptoms include a more substantial rash and higher fever. Variola Minor the second type. It is a lot less common, and less dangerous. There is a possibility that in the future smallpox will reinstate via bioterrorism.

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How the virus treated by medical professionals:


 * There is no known treatment for Smallpox. However, there is a vaccine that prevents the virus. The vaccine, has not been used in the U.S. since 1972. In Asia, something called variolation is used to provide people with life-long immunity to the disease. This is performed by infecting someone, on purpose, to a mild from of the disease. The regular vaccine is similar. It infects a person with the a virus that is related to Smallpox called Vaccinia. It makes the immune system repel against the virus, developing immunity to it. **

Sources: [] [|http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578931/smallpox.htmlhttp://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp] 

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