2-1 Journal: Diseases Throughout History
CHE 220:Communicable Diseases
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January 21, 2024
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2-1 Journal: Diseases Throughout History
Throughout history there have been numerous outbreaks of fatal diseases among humans.
One of the deadliest diseases in human history is smallpox.Although the origin of smallpox is
undetermined, records of outbreaks date back to the fourth century and 30% of those who
(Centers for Disease Control and
contracted it died Prevention, 2021).When infected with the
smallpox virus, humans experienced significant symptoms and sometimes death. Smallpox
symptoms can include fever, aches, vomiting, and rash, which often left behind scars (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). There are multiple ways for the smallpox virus to be
transmitted. One way smallpox is transmitted is by coughing or sneezing, in which fluids spread
an uninfected person (Centers for Disease
from the infected person to Control and Prevention,
2021). Smallpox could be transmitted by additional bodily fluids. For example, “the virus can
spread through” contaminated items, such as items that encountered scabs or fluid that holds the
variola virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). The means for eradicating
smallpox included vaccination. In 1796, Edward Jenner pushed the creation of the smallpox
virus into motion. Jenner discovered that people could be protected from smallpox if they were
previously infected with cowpox, and this helped him to create the “basis for vaccination”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). It
( took almost two centuries since Jenner’s
work with the smallpox vaccination for the virus to become eradicated. Specifically, smallpox
eradicated in 1980 (Centers for
became completely Disease Control and Prevention,
2021).Although smallpox outbreaks were catastrophic in history, it was not the only disease to
become fatal to many.
Another of the deadliest diseases in human history is rabies.This disease is most found in
can be fatal to humans in wildanimals, like “bats, raccoons, skunk
animals but as well. Rabies commonly occurs
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, whereasrabies issometimes found in
domesticated animals in international locations (CDC, 2020). When infected with rabies, it
causes disease within the brain. This can cause a range of symptoms, some of which
include “fever, headache, nausea, vomiting,
agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, and excessive
salvation” among others (Mayo Clinic, 2021). There are a variety of
ways that rabies is transmitted. Rabies is commonly transmittedwithin the bite of an animal that
is infected (CDC, 2020). Rabies can also be transmitted in additionalways, such as scratches.
Although uncommon, rabies could be transmitted through non-bite exposures, but in all cases
contact with the rabies virus must be made in order to contract it (CDC, 2020).Similarly to
smallpox, the means for eradicating rabies include vaccination. Throughout history, death was
inevitable for those who contracted rabies and were unvaccinated. In 1885, Dr. Louis Pasteur
created a vaccine against rabies that was highly effective (Mayo Clinic, n.d.-b). Although rabies
is not eradicated, it has become far less common in housepets, especially within the United
States (CDC, 2020). In history, diseases, such as rabies among others,havewreaked havoc
among humans.
Lastly, polio is among the deadliest diseases in human history. The disease
has been
among the most devastating in human history and dates to ancient times. Ancient Egyptian
tomb paintings have proven this with displays of post-polio syndrome, which impacts mobility
(CDC, 2023). There have been multiple polio epidemics throughout history, which were handled
similarly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both instances resulted in isolation, the use of breathing
machines, and many deaths (Mayo Clinic, n.d.-a). When infected with polio, some individuals
symptoms, while others have more
will experience superficial will substantial issues.
For example, some
sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, stomach
might experience symptoms like “
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pain” (CDC, 2023). Others, however, might experience meningitis and paralysis (CDC,
2023). It was common for polio to cause disabilities. Unlike the rabies virus, polio is only
transmitted through humans. Transmission occurs through the mouth when in contact with
bodily fluids contaminated with the polio virus (CDC, 2023). The means for eradicating polio
The first polio vaccine” was created Salk
include vaccination. “ in 1955 by Dr. (Mayo Clinic,
n.d.-a). There are two types of polio vaccinations, and both are effective in protecting people
against the polio virus. Vaccinations and good hygiene are effective means to help eradicate
polio (CDC, 2023). Polio has not been eradicated worldwide, but means for eradication have
eliminated in North and South America by 1994
allowed polio to become (Mayo Clinic, n.d.-a).
some of the deadliest diseases
To conclude, polio, along with smallpox and rabies, are among
throughout human history because of the mortalities and devastation they caused.
References
CDC. (2020, November 30). What is Rabies? . CDC; Centers for Disease Control and
prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about.html
CDC. (2023, January 9). What is polio? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/index
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 20). History of Smallpox.Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention; CDC.
https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/history/history.html
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Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-a). History of Polio: Outbreaks and Vaccine Timeline. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/history-disease-outbreaks-vaccine-
timeline/polio
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-b). History of Rabies: Outbreaks and Vaccine Timeline. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/history-disease-outbreaks-vaccine-
timeline/rabies
Mayo Clinic. (2021, November 2). Rabies - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-
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