Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of virus is the Variola virus that causes smallpox?
What type of virus is the Variola virus that causes smallpox?
How was smallpox primarily transmitted among humans?
How was smallpox primarily transmitted among humans?
What characteristic of the Variola virus contributes to its brick-like appearance?
What characteristic of the Variola virus contributes to its brick-like appearance?
What was a major reason for the eradication of smallpox in the 1970s?
What was a major reason for the eradication of smallpox in the 1970s?
Signup and view all the answers
What symptoms typically occur after the Variola virus enters the human body?
What symptoms typically occur after the Variola virus enters the human body?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one potential concern regarding smallpox in modern times?
What is one potential concern regarding smallpox in modern times?
Signup and view all the answers
What resulted from the complications of smallpox infections?
What resulted from the complications of smallpox infections?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the vaccination against variola impact monkeypox infection rates?
How did the vaccination against variola impact monkeypox infection rates?
Signup and view all the answers
What part of the body serves as the primary portal of entry for the Variola virus?
What part of the body serves as the primary portal of entry for the Variola virus?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the skin lesions caused by the poxviruses called?
What are the skin lesions caused by the poxviruses called?
Signup and view all the answers
What illness is caused by the reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus in individuals who have had chickenpox?
What illness is caused by the reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus in individuals who have had chickenpox?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement about measles is accurate?
Which statement about measles is accurate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a distinguishing feature of measles that can help in diagnosis?
What is a distinguishing feature of measles that can help in diagnosis?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of virus causes warts?
What type of virus causes warts?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is at the highest risk of developing shingles?
Who is at the highest risk of developing shingles?
Signup and view all the answers
What virus is known for causing deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation in newborns when contracted by a pregnant woman?
What virus is known for causing deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation in newborns when contracted by a pregnant woman?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these diseases is characterized by a dark red, blotchy rash?
Which of these diseases is characterized by a dark red, blotchy rash?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of virus causes molluscum contagiosum?
What type of virus causes molluscum contagiosum?
Signup and view all the answers
What characteristic is NOT true about the Varicella-Zoster Virus?
What characteristic is NOT true about the Varicella-Zoster Virus?
Signup and view all the answers
How can HPV, the cause of warts, be transmitted?
How can HPV, the cause of warts, be transmitted?
Signup and view all the answers
The Varicella-Zoster Virus is responsible for both chickenpox and shingles.
The Varicella-Zoster Virus is responsible for both chickenpox and shingles.
Signup and view all the answers
The measles virus can infect both humans and animals.
The measles virus can infect both humans and animals.
Signup and view all the answers
Shingles can only occur in individuals who have never had chickenpox.
Shingles can only occur in individuals who have never had chickenpox.
Signup and view all the answers
Rubella is often more severe in adults than in children.
Rubella is often more severe in adults than in children.
Signup and view all the answers
Koplik's spots are a distinguishing feature of measles.
Koplik's spots are a distinguishing feature of measles.
Signup and view all the answers
Most warts are considered harmful and can lead to serious health issues.
Most warts are considered harmful and can lead to serious health issues.
Signup and view all the answers
Molluscum contagiosum presents as painful, deep nodules.
Molluscum contagiosum presents as painful, deep nodules.
Signup and view all the answers
The incidence of chickenpox has increased since the introduction of the vaccine.
The incidence of chickenpox has increased since the introduction of the vaccine.
Signup and view all the answers
Genital warts are primarily caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Genital warts are primarily caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Signup and view all the answers
People aged 60 or older are at the highest risk for developing shingles.
People aged 60 or older are at the highest risk for developing shingles.
Signup and view all the answers
Smallpox is caused by the Variola Virus, which is classified as an RNA virus.
Smallpox is caused by the Variola Virus, which is classified as an RNA virus.
Signup and view all the answers
The Variola virus is spread only through direct contact with infected individuals.
The Variola virus is spread only through direct contact with infected individuals.
Signup and view all the answers
Smallpox infections could lead to death primarily due to complications from pneumonia, heart failure, and severe immune responses.
Smallpox infections could lead to death primarily due to complications from pneumonia, heart failure, and severe immune responses.
Signup and view all the answers
The WHO played a significant role in the eradication of smallpox, which was officially declared in the 1980s.
The WHO played a significant role in the eradication of smallpox, which was officially declared in the 1980s.
Signup and view all the answers
Concerns have risen about smallpox due to its potential use as a bioterrorism agent following the attacks of 9/11.
Concerns have risen about smallpox due to its potential use as a bioterrorism agent following the attacks of 9/11.
Signup and view all the answers
Monkeypox is a much more severe virus than the Variola virus.
Monkeypox is a much more severe virus than the Variola virus.
Signup and view all the answers
Vaccination against variola led to increased immunity to the monkeypox virus.
Vaccination against variola led to increased immunity to the monkeypox virus.
Signup and view all the answers
Smallpox caused millions of deaths annually before a robust vaccination program was implemented.
Smallpox caused millions of deaths annually before a robust vaccination program was implemented.
Signup and view all the answers
Once inside the body, the Variola virus travels through the lymphatic system before causing symptoms.
Once inside the body, the Variola virus travels through the lymphatic system before causing symptoms.
Signup and view all the answers
The portal of entry for the Variola virus is primarily through the skin.
The portal of entry for the Variola virus is primarily through the skin.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Smallpox
- Caused by the Variola virus
- Belongs to the family of viruses known as the Poxviruses
- One of the largest and most complex animal viruses
- Enveloped with a brick-shaped appearance
- Unique DNA viruses
- Multiply in the cytoplasm of host cells called factory areas
- Produce eruptive skin pustules called pocks or pox, which leave small, depressed scars (pockmarks) upon healing
- A strictly human pathogen
- Spread through respiratory droplets and fomites
- Enters the body via the nasopharynx
- Fever ensues
- Travels throughout the body in the blood
- Vesicular rash develops throughout the body
- Death was usually a result of complications from pneumonia, heart failure, and a severe immune response to the virus
- Millions of people worldwide died from smallpox infections annually
- Eradicated in the 1970s
- A major success by the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Concern exists about the risk of reemergence because of stockpiles of the virus still stored in government labs
- The general population is no longer vaccinated
- Certain members of the military and high-ranking politicians have opted to receive the smallpox vaccine
- The monkeypox virus is closely related to the variola virus
- People vaccinated against variola were also immune to monkeypox, keeping monkeypox infection rates low
- With the decline in variola vaccinations, monkeypox infection rates are increasing
Chickenpox and Shingles
- Caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), an enveloped DNA virus
- Also known as human herpesvirus-3 (HHV-3)
- Belongs to the Herpesvirus family (includes HSV-1 and HSV-2)
- Extremely communicable
- Transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets or by fluid from skin lesions
- Replicates in the respiratory mucosa (incubation period of 10-20 days)
- Travels through the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body
- The initial infection with VZV causes Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Chickenpox manifests as a fever and itchy, vesicular rash on the trunk, face, scalp, and extremities
- Infection typically resolves on its own within a few weeks
- More serious diseases including pneumonia can occur, especially in the immunocompromised population
- The incidence of chickenpox has dramatically decreased since a vaccine is now widely used
- VZV can cause a secondary infection known as Shingles (Zoster)
- In people who have contracted chickenpox, the virus goes latent in the neurons (more specifically the dorsal root ganglia)
- The virus can be reactivated later, leading to shingles
- Shingles is a very painful and tender vesicular rash that typically forms on one side of the face or body along the the pathway of the nerves in which the virus went latent
- Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles
- Those at highest risk are the immunocompromised or people aged 60 or older
- A shingles vaccine is FDA-approved for patients 60 years of age or older
- Patients with shingles can cause chickenpox in individuals who are unvaccinated and susceptible to the infection
Measles
- One of the most contagious infectious diseases
- Spread via respiratory droplets
- An enveloped, RNA virus only found in humans
- People who contract measles develop a fever, sore throat, red eyes, runny nose, followed by a dark red, blotchy rash all over the body
- Vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides immunity to measles
- Measles cases dramatically declined as a result of vaccination
- Vaccination is recommended because of possible complications, including death due to brain damage
- Vaccination rates have been declining in certain U.S. populations, notably in California
- These susceptible populations are vulnerable to outbreaks
- Eradicated in the U.S., meaning that regular transmission within the U.S. population is no longer expected
- Prevalent in other parts of the world
- Easily brought to the U.S. by international travelers
- A distinguishing feature of measles is the presence of Koplik's spots, small white spots on the inside of the patients cheek
Rubella
- A contagious rash accompanied by a fever
- Caused by the Rubella virus, an enveloped, RNA virus
- Sometimes called "German measles" or "three day measles"
- Typically not severe in children and adults
- About half of the individuals that contract rubella experience no symptoms
- Can lead to very serious birth defects for the developing fetus if a pregnant woman contracts the virus
- Causes deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation in newborns
- A vaccine is available to protect against this disease and is included in the MMR vaccine
- Has a similar appearance to measles, but the rash is usually less intensely red than the measles rash
Warts
- Also called papillomas
- Benign, squamous epithelial growths
- Caused by the Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV)
- Naked, DNA viruses with a circular strand of DNA
- Different strains of HPV infect different tissues and can cause different kinds of warts
- Plantar warts (deep painful warts on the soles of the feet)
- Common seed warts (smooth, skin-colored warts anywhere on the skin)
- Genital warts (form on the mucous membranes of the genital region)
- Most warts are harmless and will self-resolve without treatment
- Genital warts dramatically increase the risk of various cancers
- HPV viruses are transmitted between humans through direct contact
- Often spread from one part of the body to another through autoinoculation
- There is evidence to show that the virus can be transmitted via towels and other fomites
Molluscum contagiosum
- An infection that can look similar to warts
- Caused by the molluscum contagiosum viruses
- Belong to the Poxvirus family
- Form smooth, waxy nodules on the face, trunk and limbs that may have a milky looking fluid inside them
- Papules can form anywhere on the body
- Common in children
- In adults, it most commonly presents around the genitals
- Transmitted through direct contact, sexual contact, and autoinoculation
Smallpox
- Caused by the Variola virus, a member of the Poxvirus family
- Large, brick-shaped virus with a complex capsid and envelope
- Spreads through respiratory droplets and fomites
- Enters the body through the nasopharynx
- Causes fever, a vesicular rash, and can lead to pneumonia, heart failure, and a severe immune response
- Eradicated in the 1970s due to vaccination and isolation programs
- A potential bioterrorism agent due to stockpiles in government labs
- The general population is no longer vaccinated against smallpox
Chickenpox and Shingles
- Caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), a member of the Herpesvirus family
- Highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets and fluid from skin lesions
- Initial infection causes Chickenpox (Varicella), characterized by fever and an itchy, vesicular rash
- Can cause a secondary infection known as Shingles (Zoster)
- VZV goes latent in neurons after chickenpox and can be reactivated, leading to shingles
- Shingles is a painful, vesicular rash that typically forms on one side of the face or body
- A shingles vaccine is available for patients 60 years or older
Measles
- One of the most contagious infectious diseases, spread through respiratory droplets
- An enveloped, RNA virus found only in humans
- Causes fever, sore throat, red eyes, runny nose, and a dark red, blotchy rash
- Vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides immunity
- Eradicated in the U.S. but still prevalent in other parts of the world
- A distinguishing feature of measles is the presence of Koplik's spots, small white spots on the inside of the cheek
Rubella
- A contagious rash accompanied by fever, caused by the Rubella virus, an enveloped, RNA virus
- Also known as "German measles" or "three-day measles"
- Typically not severe in children and adults, with half of individuals experiencing no symptoms
- Can lead to serious birth defects if contracted by a pregnant woman
- Causes deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation in newborns
- A vaccine is available to protect against rubella and is included in the MMR vaccine
- The rash is less intensely red than the measles rash
Warts
- Benign, squamous epithelial growths caused by Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV)
- Naked, DNA viruses with a circular strand of DNA
- Different strains infect different tissues and cause different types of warts: plantar warts, common seed warts, and genital warts
- Most warts are harmless and self-resolve, except for genital warts, which increase the risk of various cancers
- Transmitted through direct contact and autoinoculation
- Can be transmitted via towels and other fomites
Molluscum Contagiosum
- Caused by the Molluscum Contagiosum virus, a member of the Poxvirus family
- Forms smooth, waxy nodules on the face, trunk, and limbs
- Transmitted through direct contact, sexual contact, and autoinoculation
- Common in children but can present around the genitals in adults
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores the characteristics, transmission, and impact of the Smallpox virus, caused by the Variola virus. Learn about its unique DNA structure, symptoms, historical significance, and its eventual eradication in the 1970s. Find out why it remains a concern for public health today.
