What is the difference between smallpox (variola) and measles?
Smallpox is a viral infection like measles. Smallpox is transmitted by respiratory secretions, saliva and objects in contact with contaminated patients. The disease is characterized by the appearance of numerous vesicles on the skin of the face, trunk and limbs, that can suppurate and form crusts; smallpox complications can lead to death. Measles is transmitted by saliva drops and respiratory secretions too. It is characterized by exanthems (red spots on the skin), fever, malaise and lymphadenomegaly (enlarged lymphnodes). If not treated measles complications can cause death. Smallpox killed thousands of people around the world in the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century but today it is almost eradicated by vaccination. Nowadays however a great fear is the possibility of use of smallpox virus in biological weapons and by bioterrorists. Measles is not eradicated and affects millions of people each year. Both diseases can be prevented by vaccination.
