Variola is also called is smallpox. Smallpox is a contagious disease unique to humans. Smallpox is caused by either of two virus variants named Variola major and Variola minor. Viruses can enter an individuals body through contact or inhalation and cause some types of skin disorders. Sometimes these viruses result in skin ailments.Variola major is the most common and severe form and has a death rate of about 30%. Variola minor is a much less common form with an estimated death rate of less than 1%. Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing.

Smallpox produces a single crop of lesions which are distributed in a centrifugal pattern: most riotous on the face, more abundant on the forearms and lower legs than the upper arms and thighs, and often involve palms and soles. Smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Humans are the only natural hosts of variola. It can also be spread by touching the skin rash, sores and scabs of an infected person, or by sharing contaminated clothing, towels or bedding. Long-term side-effects for survivors include the characteristic skin scars. Occasional side effects include blindness due to corneal ulcerations and infertility in male survivors. There is no proven treatment for smallpox.

Patients with smallpox may be helped by intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur. Vaccination should be kept covered and should not be scratched, to avoid transmitting vaccinia virus to someone else. Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used primarily to treat complications of smallpox vaccination. VIG could also be offered to persons exposed to smallpox as a prophylaxis. Cidofovir is currently treatment of smallpox. Antimicrobial therapy to treat bacterial complications, vigorous supportive measures, and symptomatic treatment of lesions with antipruritics, starting during the pustular stage. Anti-inflammatories, codeine or, as needed, morphine relieve pain.

Variola Treatment Tips

1. Cidofovir is currently treatment of smallpox.

2. Intravenous infusions and gastric tube feedings provide fluids.

3. Antimicrobial therapy to treat bacterial complications against smallpox.

4. Anti-inflammatories, codeine or, as needed, morphine relieve pain.

5. Vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used primarily to treat complications of smallpox.