You may have heard of two diseases that have the word "pox" in them. One is Chickenpox and the other is Smallpox. Because the names are somewhat similar and both cause blisters on the skin, some people think that these are the same disease. But in fact, these are two completely different diseases. Today, let's talk simply and politely about the main differences between these two diseases, what to be afraid of, and what not to be afraid of.
Chickenpox still exists, but smallpox is now eradicated from the world.
This is the most important thing to know. Chickenpox is still a disease among us. Chickenpox is very common, especially among children. It is difficult to find someone who has not had chickenpox in our childhood, right? But now, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, chickenpox has become much less common than before. But people still get this disease.
But smallpox is a completely different story. The chances of you getting smallpox are close to zero . That's because smallpox has now been completely eradicated from the world thanks to a successful global vaccination program. The last case of smallpox was reported in 1978. Currently, samples of the smallpox virus are only in two highly secure laboratories, one in the United States and the other in Russia. So there's no reason for you to be unduly afraid of smallpox.
Severity of disease: Chickenpox is usually mild, smallpox is fatal
Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella. It spreads very quickly from person to person. If you get chickenpox, you will develop itchy blisters all over your body, along with symptoms such as fever and fatigue. After about 5 to 7 days, the blisters will dry up and crust over, and the infection will gradually heal. For most people, it is not a serious illness.
But smallpox is a very dangerous and deadly disease. It is caused by a virus called `(variola)`. Like chickenpox, smallpox also causes fever and skin blisters. But this one is much more serious. At that time , about three out of every ten people who got smallpox died . Some of the survivors were blind or had lifelong scars. Experts believe that more than 300 million people died from smallpox in the 20th century alone. Imagine how scared people must have been at that time.
Simply put, chickenpox is a mild illness that usually resolves in about a week. Smallpox is a very serious, deadly disease. It is important to know this difference.
How does a doctor distinguish between these two blisters?
Although both these blisters may look the same to a layperson, an experienced doctor can easily tell the difference between the two. The main difference lies in the pattern of blister formation. Let's look at the table below to understand this clearly.
| Characteristic | Chickenpox | Smallpox |
|---|---|---|
| How blisters appear | Blisters don't appear all at once. They appear over several days, at different times, and in different places. That's why you can see blisters in different stages, such as new blisters, old blisters, and scabs, all at the same time. | Blisters appear all over the body at the same time. They all look the same and grow at the same rate. |
| Blister-prone areas | Blisters are most commonly seen on the stomach, chest, and back. Blisters are relatively rare on the face and limbs. | Blisters are most commonly seen on the face, arms, and legs. They are more common on the limbs than the middle of the body. |
| Palms and soles | Blisters on the palms and soles of the feet are very rare. | Sometimes blisters are also seen on the palms and soles of the feet. |
Let's talk about vaccines: The chickenpox vaccine is essential, the smallpox vaccine is no longer necessary
Although chickenpox is a mild illness for most people, it can cause serious complications for some people, especially newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems (for example, cancer patients, HIV-infected people). Severe conditions such as pneumonia and brain infections can occur.
That's why doctors recommend that all children get the chickenpox vaccine. This vaccine is very safe and is about 98% effective.
Typically, a child is given the first dose at 1 year of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. It may be important for young people and some adults who have not had chickenpox before and have not been vaccinated to get this vaccine. It is best to talk to your family doctor about this and get advice.
Speaking of the smallpox vaccine, there is no need for the general public to get it now. Because there is no one in the world who can contract smallpox now. Therefore, this vaccine is now only given to researchers and some military personnel who work with the smallpox virus or similar viruses.
Can smallpox be used as a bioterrorism weapon?
Sometimes you may hear about smallpox in the news. This is often due to fears that a terrorist group or individual will use the virus to spread the disease to humans. This is a scary idea. But the likelihood of this happening is very low .
Remember, currently, only two of the world's most secure laboratories have confirmed samples of the virus. Also, this disease is transmitted through very close contact with a symptomatic patient who is coughing or sneezing. It is not easily transmitted through the air. Also, countries around the world have sufficient stocks of smallpox vaccines and even newly approved drugs like `(tecovirimat (TPOXX))` to deal with a disaster. So do not create unnecessary fear about this.
Take-Home Message
- Chickenpox and smallpox are two completely different diseases, despite their similar names and blisters.
- Smallpox has now been completely eradicated from the world, so there is no need to be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Chickenpox is still a common disease among us. Although it is usually not serious, some people can develop complications.
- It is very important to give your child the chickenpox vaccine on time. Ask your family doctor about it.
- If you or someone in your family develops symptoms similar to chickenpox, especially fever with skin blisters, seek medical advice immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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