Smallpox Causes, Symptoms and Home remedies

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 11:50

Small pox one of the many disease which happens to everyone once in a lifetime, is caused by a virus called variola. This virus belongs to the Poxvirus family. In a nutshell, smallpox are pus filled blisters which occur 12 days after other symptoms show up.

Smallpox has two forms -

1.Variola Major – This form is highly contagious viral disease. The symptoms of this form of pox is fever, weakness, skin eruption which leave deep scars. Mortality rate of this form of pox is 30%.

2.Variola Minor – This is more milder form and the symptoms are very mild, which gets cured easily. The mortality rate is 1%.

It start start in the lungs. Then the virus affects the bloodstream, spreads to the skin, intestine, lungs, kidney and brain. When the virus reacts to the skin it erupts pus filled rashes. They are called the pustules. They appear about 12-17 days after the person is infected. This disease is contagious and can affect any person who is in close proximity. The dry scabs start falling off after 14 days. Anyone who comes in contact with the scabs can get the disease.

Smallpox Symptoms

1.Fatigue
2.Fever
3.Vomiting
4.Body pain
5.Stomach Upset
6.Skin rashes

Home Remedies For Smallpox

1.Neem – Neem is a natural anti-septic and is used for external healing of the rashes. Neem leaves can be crushes to make a paste and applied when the scabs are drying up. Neem leaves cure the infection and also has a cooling effect on the skin. Neem leaves have anti-viral properties which cure future infections.

2.Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus) – This also have a cooling effect on the skin and stomach. Khus khus paste can also be consumed to cure pox.

3.Red Sandalwood - Apply red sandalwood on the blisters to make them dry quickly and stop itching.

4.Parh – These are small leaves. Boil 5-7 leaves for 10 minutes. Strain the water and consume the drink thrice a day for quick recovery.

5. Milk - Bring 1 Lt milk to a boil and put two spoons of lemon juice into it. The milk will soon curdle up. Have this everyday in the morning for quick cure and keep up your strength.

These home remedies for smallpox will help you recover quick and also mildens all the symptoms. Once a person gets the disease, he gets immune to the virus and generally does not suffer from it again.