The term "variola vera" refers to the smallpox virus. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Variola" is pronounced as /vəˈriːələ/ with the stress on the second syllable. The "v" in the beginning is pronounced as in the word "van", and the "a" sounds like the "a" in "cat". "Vera" is pronounced as /ˈvɛrə/ with the stress on the first syllable. The "e" sounds like the "e" in "let", and the "a" sounds like the "a" in "car".
Variola vera, commonly known as smallpox, is a highly contagious and severe infectious disease caused by the variola virus. It is characterized by the appearance of a distinct rash with raised, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, accompanied by high fever and other flu-like symptoms. Variola vera is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person, but it can also be contracted through direct contact with contaminated objects.
The disease has a history spanning several centuries and has been responsible for numerous epidemics and pandemics, resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. Smallpox was officially eradicated in 1980 through a global vaccination campaign led by the World Health Organization (WHO), making it the first human disease to be eradicated.
The symptoms of variola vera typically begin with a prodromal phase, characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, headache, muscle pain, and general malaise. After a few days, a rash develops, initially appearing as red spots that then transform into raised pustules filled with a thick fluid. These pustules become scabs over time, leading to the characteristic scarring associated with smallpox.
Due to the high mortality rate and potential for widespread transmission, variola vera is considered a major public health concern. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against smallpox, and the global eradication campaign remains a pivotal milestone in disease control.
Simple smallpox of ordinary severity in the unvaccinated.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "variola vera" has Latin origins.
"Variola" is derived from the Latin word "varius", meaning "spotted" or "marked", which was used to refer to diseases characterized by spots or pustules on the skin.
The term "vera" means "true" in Latin, which was added to distinguish smallpox from other similar illnesses.
So, "variola vera" translates to "true smallpox" in Latin.