Smallpox and chickenpox may have “pox” in their names, but these diseases have many differences.

Chickenpox is common among children today, even with a vaccine available. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980 by the World Health Assembly.

People infected with smallpox experienced a high fever and developed a skin rash that could leave permanent scars. Most would recover, but about 30% of cases resulted in death.

The way in which chickenpox and smallpox overlap is in the first two to three days of the development of the rash. The signs and symptoms can be almost impossible for non-medical personnel to distinguish in the early stages.

Before the chickenpox vaccine, there were about 4 million cases a year. Thousands of those cases resulted in hospitalization. Since then, both cases and hospitalizations have decreased.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and spreads easily from person-to-person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chickenpox is highly contagious. If one person contracts the virus, up to 90 percent of those close to them may become infected.

Chickenpox is usually mild and uncomfortable, but it can be serious. Symptoms include a fever, headache, and loss of appetite. Individuals who are immune-compromised may experience more serious symptoms. Most treatment involves relieving symptoms, calmine lotion for itching for example. Vaccination is the best form of protection against chickenpox.

Similar to smallpox, those infected with chickenpox will develop a blister-like rash. This itchy rash will first appear on the chest, back, and face before spreading to the rest of the body. The chickenpox rash tends to develop faster than that of smallpox. It is usually on the trunk of the body, avoiding the palms and soles.

The rash associated with smallpox may start in the mouth or on the face and then spread over the body slowly. The pustules can be painful and will blister and scab over. In smallpox the pocks from the rash distribute more on the extremities and are found on the palms and soles.

Outside of the rash, the other initial symptoms include a high fever, fatigue, back pain and possible abdominal pain or vomiting. There are approved antiviral drugs to treat smallpox and there is a vaccine available. But, vaccination is only recommended for those in high-risk situations such as laboratories.

While both illnesses are highly contagious and fairly similar for the initial couple of days, chickenpox and smallpox have many differences. This includes the speed of the rash’s development, the placement of the rash and the death rate for the diseases. When there is a death from chickenpox, which is rare, due to the two illnesses rash resemblances, smallpox tends to be suspected and tested. Since smallpox has been eradicated for over forty years, potential cases are taken very seriously.

Passport Health offers chickenpox and other key vaccinations to help you stay safe at home and abroad. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Brianna Malotke. Brianna is a freelance writer and costume designer located in Illinois. She’s an avid coffee drinker and enjoys researching new topics for writing projects. Her site can be found here.

They have a bit of a reputation for being pesky during the warmer days of the year and can cause itchy and create red and raised itchy bumps that can be very annoying. One wouldn’t think that the mosquito is actually one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. How can one tiny insect do so much damage that it is considered dangerous?

Mosquitoes are responsible for more than one million deaths worldwide each year. This is because mosquitoes carry a wide variety of diseases that can easily be spread to humans through a single bite. Some of these diseases can be deadly if contracted, these include:

• Malaria
• Zika virus
• Dengue fever
• Yellow fever
• West Nile Virus
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Chikungunya virus

That is just a fraction of the illnesses one can contract from an infected mosquito. But, how do these tiny little insects cause so much disease and chaos? It happens when the mosquito picks up a disease, typically from an animal, and the mosquito acts as a means of transportation for the virus or illness. Once it bites someone, it transmits the disease through its saliva. Once bit, one can become very ill if bitten by an infected mosquito.

There are approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes out there. But, only around half of them actually bite and feed on human blood. Animals can also become infected with certain things, like heartworm, from the bite of a mosquito.

One study found that certain mosquitoes which carry a malarial parasite can smell human blood better than some other mosquitoes. In addition to carrying various viruses and diseases with them, mosquitoes can also carry parasites, which they can infect humans with. This is how malaria spreads.

Because mosquitoes infect so many people with diseases, they are considered one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. But there are things that you can do to protect yourself against these pests. Arm yourself with the right vaccines to avoid contracting many of these nasty illnesses. Below are the recommended vaccines, especially if you plan on traveling to an area where there is a high risk of getting the disease.

• Yellow Fever Vaccine
• Malaria – (Vaccine in the development stage, but pills are available)
• Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Other vaccines in development include a vaccine for dengue fever and Zika virus. Once you have gotten your vaccinations, there are a few other things that you can do to protect yourself from getting bit.

By wearing long sleeves, long pants, and long socks, you are helping to shield your body from being exposed to mosquitoes. You should also carry with you and use a bug spray that has DEET in it. If you see standing water, move along as fast as you can away from it because pools like that are a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

With the right tools and vaccines, you can prevent yourself from contracting a mosquito-borne illness. Make sure you are prepared with Passport Health. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Jennifer Passmore is a stay-at-home mom, writer and beader. She loves creating art with her words and through her jewelry. She is also a passionate mental health advocate. You can find more writing at her website Positivity In Pain.

E. Coli and Salmonella are both germs that cause food poisoning when eaten. They’re found in raw or under-cooked foods. When ingested they both cause similar symptoms. But, the two are different pathogens and cause symptoms at different points in time after exposure.

What Is E. Coli?

E. Coli, scientifically known as Escherichia Coli, are bacteria that can be mistakenly ingested if raw or under-cooked foods are eaten. The specific kind of E. Coli that causes food poisoning is commonly found in raw or under-cooked ground beef, unpasteurized dairy products and juices, raw vegetables and raw sprouts. E. Coli can also be found in unsafe drinking water.

Common symptoms of E. Coli poisoning usually appear 3 to 4 days after exposure by swallowing. These symptoms include: intense stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. E. Coli is one of the more severe forms of food poisoning. 5 to 10% of people who ingest E. Coli develop serious health complications. If you think you’ve swallowed E. Coli, you should see a healthcare provider immediately.

What Is Salmonella?

Like E. Coli, Salmonella are also a group of bacteria that can cause illness when eaten. Salmonella are found in raw or under-cooked chicken, turkey and meat. Raw or under-cooked eggs, unpasteurized dairy products and juices also harbor Salmonella. Raw fruits and vegetables, certain animals and backyard poultry also carry Salmonella.

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning often start 6 hours to 6 days after exposure. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting. Salmonella poisoning symptoms are not as critical as those of E. Coli poisoning. They are usually mild and will resolve on their own. If symptoms seem to persist, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.

How to Protect Yourself

Though E. Coli and Salmonella are different, measures to protect ourselves from infection are quite similar. Since both groups of bacteria are often transmitted through ingestion of raw or under-cooked foods, the best way to avoid infection is to avoid raw or under-cooked foods. Make sure that meats and fish are cooked to the appropriate temperature before eating. Do not eat dairy, meat spreads or eggs that aren’t pasteurized or cooked. As for hot dogs, deli and luncheon meats, those should be heated thoroughly before eating.

Another important way to protect ourselves from these bacteria is to prevent cross contamination. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking. Always wash hands before, during and after food preparation to prevent spreading bacteria. Make sure to eat foods that are prepared on surfaces that have been properly cleaned and disinfected. Meats, fish and poultry should be kept separately from fruits and vegetables.

If you do get infected with E. Coli or Salmonella while away from home, you may need to visit a medical provider if symptoms persist or worsen. You’ll need good travel health insurance to get timely and reliable help. So make sure you choose a trustworthy travel health insurance before any trips you have planned so you can stay safe even if you get infected with one of these bacteria.

Make sure you are ready for any potential E. Coli or Salmonella while abroad with a Passport Health travelers’ diarrhea kit. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Ese Agboh is a student nurse who wants to specialize in pediatric nursing and wound care. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing articles related to medicine and the pathophysiology of communicable diseases. Ese currently lives and studies on the east coast of the United States.

Initially, numerous people were afraid to hear the term AIDS. There was so much mystery and vast misinformation circulating that made it difficult to understand what was happening. But, the world has reached a point where more information about AIDS is accessible, and people understand it more.

While there is no cure for HIV or AIDS, there are ways to manage the condition due to advancements in science and technology.

Misunderstandings & Discovery

In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the outbreak of HIV and AIDS spread across America and the rest of the world. Today, more than 70 million people have been infected with HIV. And about 35 million have died from AIDS since the start of the pandemic.

In the beginning, doctors noticed that mainly young healthy males acquired HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This virus attacks the immune system, specifically CD4 or T cells. Over time, the body cannot fight as many diseases or infections due to the erasure of CD4 cells. That leads to the most severe form of HIV infection – AIDS. People with AIDS are especially vulnerable to cancer and life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia.

At first, doctors believed only gay men acquired HIV. Numerous individuals affected identified as gay males. Over time, doctors realized that they were not the only victims of HIV. Drug users and immunocompromised people were also affected by the disease. This discovery led to more research and determination to find solutions.

Where Did AIDS Come From?

Scientists traced the origin of HIV to chimpanzees and the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). SIV is an HIV-like virus that attacks the immune system of monkeys and apes. In earlier decades, people were hunting chimpanzees for meat and came in contact with the blood containing the virus. Researchers believe the virus mutated into a human form of HIV years later.

Hunters in Africa likely ate infected chimps or had close contact with the infected blood. The virus spread from Africa to Haiti, then the Caribbean, and finally came to New York and San Francisco in the late 1970’s.

The Epidemic

While HIV arrived in America in the late 1970’s, it did not receive public attention until the early 1980’s. The CDC published various articles about healthy men becoming infected with pneumocystis pneumonia. It is a type of harmless pneumonia that does not affect people with un-compromised immune systems.

By September of 1982, the CDC coined the term AIDS to describe the disease for the first time.

Current Research and Developments

2012: The FDA approved pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is a preventive drug treatment plan for individuals at high risk of HIV. About 54% of people eligible for HIV treatment that year received it. Today, healthcare professionals treat about 19.5 million people with antiretroviral medications.

2015: The CDC announced that diagnosis and treatment could prevent about 90% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.

2017: Several organizations (including the CDC) endorsed the Undetectable = Untransmittable initiative. Due to robust evidence, people who receive antiretroviral medication and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on to others.

The 2020’s: Currently, only one form of PrEP exists. People can take it once a day if they have a high risk of contracting HIV. Doctors mainly recommend PrEP if someone recently received a negative HIV test result.

Passport Health offers a variety of options that can help prevent STD’s, blood infections and other related diseases. These include hepatitis B, HPV and more. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Shelbi Jackson. Shelbi is a freelance writer from Illinois. She enjoys writing about various topics from health care to music and book reviews. In her free time, you can find her at a live event, taking a stroll outside, or playing with the family dogs.

In November 2020, scientists discovered the Omicron variant of coronavirus, it has since been detected in 23 countries. The discovery of Omicron alarmed the world, provoked international border closures, and tighter travel restrictions.

Omicron is a heavily mutated variant of COVID-19, which leaves scientists wondering where exactly did this variant come from? Scientists have a database with genetic maps of all previous variants of COVID-19 that they use to trace the variants back to a location or source. Omicron is challenging scientists because it is not similar to any current strains of COVID-19. The closest variant to Omicron was circulating in mid-2020.

Another concern with the Omicron variant is how heavily mutated it is. Scientists are baffled at how many mutations Omicron has, since it developed so quickly and is closely related to an old strain.

There are a few scenarios that could have caused Omicron to develop so many mutations so quickly.

One theory is that this variant developed in an isolated group of people and has been circulating among them until now. This would allow the variant to mutate repeatedly until it reached its current form and was introduced into society. This theory is sometimes called “cryptic spread”.

A second theory suggests that the variant was travelling among animals. Trevor Bedford, a computational virologist and professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, proposed this theory. Bedford also proposes that this theory is unlikely because there is no animal material in the variants genetic make-up.

A third theory is that Omicron developed in an immunocompromised person, for example, a person living with HIV. This theory has gained the most traction amongst scientists because there has been an HIV positive woman under study after contracting COVID-19. She remained positive for COVID-19 for over six months. A time frame like that would allow for the variant to mutate repeatedly over time before infecting another host.

Pinpointing the origin of Omicron is important to help scientists better understand the virus. If the virus was living among the animal population, it would suggest that the virus can jump species at will. Meanwhile, if this variant lived among a secluded population until recently, then it would mean that the virus is not very transmissible.

On the other hand, if the virus was living in a single host, silently mutating, and recently leaked into society, this would propose the virus is highly transmissible. If the virus was able to jump from one person to 23 countries in a matter of weeks, it could signify a major problem.

While the cases of Omicron are thought to be mild, there is still a lot of uncertainty circulating this variant. At this time, it is unknown how the vaccines affect this virus, or if the cases of Omicron are mild because of the vaccine. As research continues on Omicron, we should remain vigilant in our fight against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated helps reduce the chance of an outbreak, reducing the chances for more variants.

Passport Health offers COVID-19 testing and vaccination options before your trip. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Written for Passport Health by Brittany Evans. Brittany is a freelance writer and photographer in North Carolina. She has a passion for the outdoors, health information, and traveling. You can find her at her website.