Smallpox was a viral infection that has now been eradicated worldwide. It was a serious disease caused by the variola virus but has not been reported to occur naturally anywhere since 1977.
Is Smallpox Communicable?
Smallpox had one of the highest fatality rates among viral infections. Therefore, concerns regarding its communicability have persisted. So, is smallpox a communicable disease?
The answer is yes. Smallpox is highly communicable and deadly. Symptoms usually manifest a few days later after contracting the virus. Thus, even when a person might have been infected with smallpox anywhere between one to three weeks after contracting the virus, the sudden flu-like symptoms usually take 12 to 14 days to occur.
These symptoms that appear after the virus's incubation period can include fever, body pain and headache, fatigue, vomiting, etc. Thereafter, the red spots characteristic of smallpox disease take over the body, first appearing on the mouth and tongue and then spreading to the rest of the body. The red spots turn into blisters within a couple of days that might continue to exist as lifelong scars.
How Does Smallpox Spread?
The next most pressing concern that arises after knowing is smallpox contagious or not has to do with how the virus can spread. Here’s how is smallpox spread:
- Direct personal contact: The easiest way to get sick is to come face-to-face with an infected person and maintain that contact for a prolonged period. The virus can spread through the infected person’s coughs or sneezes. It is also possible to contract the smallpox virus by talking with a sick person. Smallpox can also spread through skin sores anytime between when the rashes appear and when the scabs fall off.
- Indirect contact: Smallpox can infect a healthy person even without direct contact with the patient. This is possible through airborne contamination, where the virus spreads through air in enclosed spaces.
- Through contaminated items: Using an infected person’s clothes or belongings can also spread the deadly smallpox virus.
Conclusion
It is important to be well-equipped to deal with highly contagious viruses. Getting a health insurance policy offers financial coverage in the event of illness.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.