The meaning of SMALLPOX is an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to
The term variola was first used for smallpox in 570 CE. It originated from the Latin words varius, meaning “stained”, or varus, meaning “mark on the skin”. Small pockes (pocke means sac) was first used in England at the end of the 15th century to distinguish the disease from syp...
The core of the virus is often described as dumbbell-shaped, meaning the middle of the core is narrower than the ends. The core contains the viral double-stranded DNA and proteins needed to help uncoat the virus core and replicate the virus. Electron micrograph showing dumbbell shape of ...