barbarake
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posted on November 8, 2001 05:05:16 PM new
Hi all - I know most recent talk has been about anthrax but I'm not particularly worried about that because it's not contagious. But I've been doing some research about smallpox and that scares me.
Am I over-reacting?? Do you think there's much chance of terrorists using smallpox as a weapon?
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hjw
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posted on November 8, 2001 05:23:20 PM new
Smallpox is frightening because it's so easily spread by contagion and aerosal. There is no treatment other than antibiotics for secondary infections.
http://www.hopkins-biodefense.org/pages/agents/agentsmallpox.html
Helen
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hjw
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posted on November 8, 2001 05:37:57 PM new
This site covers it more thouroughly.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n22/ffull/jst90000.html
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ptimko
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posted on November 8, 2001 05:58:44 PM new
Personally I think this fear of dying thing is vastly overated. When my time comes, I'm gone, no big deal... 
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hjw
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posted on November 8, 2001 06:05:37 PM new
ptimko
I think you are right.
Say Hi to the bunny!!! 
Helen
ed to greet the bunny.
[ edited by hjw on Nov 8, 2001 06:16 PM ]
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ptimko
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posted on November 8, 2001 06:42:47 PM new
Helen,
The bunny says hello back!
Thanks for the support. I just feel that the odds of getting hit by a car are probably higher than dying of something exotic. Despite this I'm still not afraid to cross the street...
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KatyD
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posted on November 8, 2001 06:51:10 PM new
barbarake, smallpox has a fatality rate of about 30% compared to 85% for inhalational anthrax. Smallpox symptoms are obvious and easily diagnosed. Anthrax symptom mimic the flu. So..between the two, I guess I worry more about anthrax than smallpox.
But then I worry about everything. It's my job.
KatyD
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rawbunzel
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posted on November 8, 2001 07:56:16 PM new
Not gonna worry. I had my smallpox vaccination only 48 years ago. Surely it's still effective? If not I'll just quit breathing in public when the first case shows up.
Me? I'm going to worry more about Ebola Virus. That one scares me.
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KatyD
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posted on November 8, 2001 08:02:14 PM new
Oh yeah. Ebola totally freaks me out! Now THAT one I worry about. 
KatyD
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dman3
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posted on November 8, 2001 08:12:55 PM new
All though there is no cure for smallpox if you were born before 1972 you have been vacinated for smallpox and there is little chance you would get from nothing to a small minor reaction.
its the younger people from 1972 on that need to be worried about..
anyone that is older then 30 who is concerned can go get a booster shot for this the vacine is out there just not large quanities for the whole population and it stop being required to enter school in 1972 so there was no need for a big inventory since it wasnt being used..
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
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buyhigh
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posted on November 8, 2001 09:00:57 PM new
Gosh - I understood that after 15 years or less, the effectiveness of a smallpox innoculation has worn off and one needs a booster - which currently is not generally available due to "lack of need" or so it was thought.
buyhigh
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outoftheblue
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posted on November 8, 2001 11:41:29 PM new
buyhigh
You are correct. Immunity diminishes over time.
I guess I worry more about anthrax than smallpox.
It may be somewhat less deadly but that rash looks really uncomfortable.
I don't think that smallpox is easy to get your hands on. Only 2 labs in the world supposedly have it. It's also extremely hard to contain a smallpox outbreak. It would be only a matter of time before your own people would suffer.
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