Treatments
Isolation is the first step to prevent an outbreak. The victim is immediately isolated until the scabs have fallen off completely.The scabs are mostly on the hands, forearm, legs, and mouth. The scabs break open and fall off. When a person gets smallpox they are given treatments such as medications for the fever and pain. Another way to keep a sick person healthy is to give them good nutritional food. There is no cure for smallpox but there is a vaccine. In 1980, the vaccine, created by Edward Jenner in 1798, eradicated this illness and can prevent it in case of an outbreak. If the shot were to be given to an exposed person within 1-4 days of exposure, it may prevent the sickness or make it less severe. Taking antibodies against a disease similar to smallpox may help shorten the duration. Thirty percent of unvaccinated patients do not survive. The ones who do survive experience complications including deeply scarred skin, arthritis, and problems during pregnancy. |