Smallpox

• What type of organism is smallpox?

  DNA virus
• How is smallpox transmitted?

  • inhalation
  • transmitted in saliva
  • through contact with infected bodily fluids
• How does smallpox affect the body?

  • enters the blood and travels to internal organs
  • re-enters the blood and spreads to the skin, making a characteristic rash
• How is smallpox prevented?

  • isolate infected people
  • successful vaccination programme based on its low rate of antigen mutation
• How is smallpox treated?

  • intravenous fluids
  • medicine to control fever and pain
  • antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection