HORSEPOX Meaning and
Definition
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Horsepox is a viral infection caused by the horsepox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae. It primarily affects horses, although it can also infect other equids such as donkeys, zebras, and mules. Horsepox is characterized by the appearance of fever, skin lesions, and respiratory signs.
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. It enters the body through the respiratory tract or via breaks in the skin. Once inside the host, horsepox virus replicates and spreads throughout the body, leading to the development of characteristic skin lesions called pustules. These pustules contain large amounts of the virus, which can then be easily transmitted to other susceptible animals.
Horsepox is often mistaken for several similar poxviruses like cowpox or even smallpox due to the similarity of their clinical signs and lesions. However, horsepox is generally considered less severe than smallpox. It can cause discomfort and distress in infected horses, potentially resulting in weight loss and reduced performance. Fortunately, horsepox is generally self-limiting, meaning that infected horses can recover without specific treatment within a few weeks.
Although horsepox affects horses and related species, it is important to note that it is not a significant threat to human health. While historically, horsepox virus was used in the development of various smallpox vaccines, it presents a low risk to humans as cases of transmission are extremely rare. Nonetheless, proper precautions should be taken when handling infected animals to prevent cross-species transmission.
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A disease in horses similar to cowpox in cattle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HORSEPOX
- gorsepox
- borsepox
- norsepox
- jorsepox
- uorsepox
- yorsepox
- hirsepox
- hkrsepox
- hlrsepox
- hprsepox
- h0rsepox
- h9rsepox
- hoesepox
- hodsepox
- hofsepox
- hotsepox
- ho5sepox
- ho4sepox
- horaepox
- horzepox
Etymology of HORSEPOX
The word "horsepox" is derived from the combination of two terms: "horse" and "pox".
1. Horse: The term "horse" refers to the animal on which the disease was first observed and studied. The word "horse" traces its roots back to the Old English word "hors", which is similar in many Germanic languages. The ultimate origin of this word is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root *kers- or *kors-, meaning "to run".
2. Pox: "Pox" is a term used to describe a group of infectious diseases characterized by the formation of pustules or sores on the skin. Its etymology can be traced back to the Latin word "pox", which means "blister" or "pustule".
Similar spelling words for HORSEPOX
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