Smallpox Research Paper

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus and is a contagious disfiguring and often deadly disease that has no existing cure or treatment. It was eradicated worldwide in 1980 by a global immunization campaign. Samples of the virus has been kept for research purposes.

Smallpox can spread several ways:

1. It can be spread by direct contact with an infected person after prolonged face-to-face contact or through the air by droplets that escape the infected person when the person coughs, sneezes or talks.

2. It can also be spread indirectly from the infected person. The virus becomes airborne and can possible spread through the ventilation system in a building.

3. From contaminated items such as clothing and bedding.

4. Potentially as a terrorist

weapon and being deliberately released.
Symptoms of smallpox appear 12 to 14 days after exposure and start as flu-like symptoms with fever, overall discomfort, headache, fatigue, severe back pain, and possible vomiting. Later flat, red spots appear on the face, hands, forearms and trunk of the body. These spots become pus filled blisters which eventually scab over and fall off leaving deep, pitted scars.
There is no known treatment for smallpox and reliving symptoms and the keeping the patient hydrated is the focus.
Nursing interventions would be to make sure all patients are current on their immunizations and to initiate proper isolation for any patient who is suspected of being infected with the smallpox.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/smallpox/basics/definition/con-20022769
Rubella, also known as the German measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. It last for one to three days and is mild and often passes unnoticed.
The Rubella virus is transmitted via airborne droplets from the respiratory tract of actives cases. Incubation is 2 to 3 weeks and the carrier is contagious during this time.
Symptoms are usually mild and appear as a rash on the face, trunk, and limbs. It can also be accompanied by a mild fever, swollen glands, joint pain, headache, and conjunctivitis. Treatment is management of symptoms.
Nursing interventions would include education on the importance of immunization and appropriate isolation for the infected patient to prevent the spread of the virus.
http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Rubella.aspx
Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is transmitted from person to person in the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes.

It can also be spread by couching or breathing in the virus particles that come from the blisters. Persons who have shingles can also spread the virus to those who have not been vaccinated or who have never had the virus.

Symptoms include a rash that itches which turns into fluid filled blisters and eventually into scabs. Fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, and a headache can also be present. The symptoms can last 5 to 10 days.

Nursing interventions is to educate parents on the importance of immunizations and to provide calamine lotion to the infected patient to help relieve itching.

http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/prevention-treatment.html

Candidias is a fungal infection caused by yeast belonging to the Candida genus. Candida morally lives on skin without causing infection but an overgrowth of the organism can cause symptoms to develop. Symptoms vary depending on the area of the body

infected.
Symptoms of Candidias of the mouth or throat, also known as thrush, are white patches on the tongue and other oral mucous membranes, difficulty swallowing and cracking of the corners of the mouth. Vaginal yeast infections are usually accompanied by itching, burning and a “cottage cheese-like” discharge. Men experience itching and a rash on the penis. Invasive Candidiasis also known as infection of the blood stream is accompanied by fever and chills.
Nursing interventions are to administer antifungal medications at scheduled times and provide comfort measures.
http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/
Pediculosis are lice that live on the body. They feed on human blood by piercing
the skin and inject saliva which causes pruritus.

Pediculosis are spread from person to person by close physical contact or through fomites such as combs, clothes, hats, and linen.

Nursing interventions are to administer medications as prescribed and bag clothing to prevent the spreading of the Pediculosis.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/225013-overview

Neonatal Gonorrheal Ophthalmia is an infection of a newborns eyes caused by gonorrhea. It is passed to the newborn from the infected mother during a vaginal delivery. It causes swollen eyes or a yellow/green discharge from the eyes. If left untreated it can cause blindness.

Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease and often does not have symptoms which make it hard to diagnosis. Nursing interventions include early screening of expecting mothers and teaching infected mothers the importance of taking the full dose of prescribed medication.

http://www.eyedoctorguide.com/childrens_eyecare/neonatal-gonorrheal-ophthalmia.htmlons.

Conjuctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, is an infection of the thin layer of the eye that covers the inside of eyelid and the white of the eye. It can be caused by a viruses, bacteria and

allergens.
Symptoms include redness or swelling of the white of the eye, discharge from the eye, itchy eyes and crusted eyelids or lashes.
Nursing interventions are to instruct patients to preform hand hygiene before touching their eyes and cleanse infected eyes several times a day to wash off any discharge using a clean soft cloth each time.
http://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/about/prevention.html
Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eye which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is spread through direct contact with infected eye, nose, or throat sections or by contact with contaminated towels or clothes. Flies can also spread the bacteria.
Symptoms include inflammation of the tissue of the eyelids, cloudy cornea, discharge from the eye, swelling of the lymph nodes just in front of the ears, swollen eyelids and turned in eyelashes.
Nursing interventions include instructing patients not to share personal items such as towels and administering prescribed medications as directed.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001486.htm