Diseases with the word "pox" in their name typically cause pustules or blisters on the skin. — Filepic
The word “pox” has a rich history behind it.
It all actually began with the word “variola”.
This word was first introduced by a Roman bishop called Marius Aventicensis in the 6th century to describe an epidemic that swept through Gaul and Italy in 570 A.D.
“Variola” is a Latin word that means “pustules” or “pox”.
It is also another name for smallpox.
During the late 15th century, “pox” became a term to describe a disease that had eruptive sores.
It was originally spelt as “pockes”, which is the plural of “pocke”.
This term describes a blister or pustule on your skin.
For centuries, the word “pox” was synonymous with sickness and death.
Smallpox was not the only pox to strike and terrify Europe though.
Syphilis did too, and was called – among other names – “bosen blattern” or “bad pox”.
It was also called “grosse verole” or “great pox”, while smallpox was called “petite verole” (petite meaning small).
Definitely.
Chickenpox is another common one.
It was actually thought to be smallpox until 1767 when an English doctor called William Heberden differentiated it from smallpox.
Then there is cowpox, which was the virus used by vaccine pioneer Dr Edward Jenner in the 18th century to develop the first vaccine against smallpox.
He called it “smallpox of the cow”.
And now there is monkeypox, which is now known as mpox.
Its original name suggests it comes from monkeys, but there is more to it than meets its name, which is why the name was changed.
Monkeypox was first found in 1958 among laboratory monkeys.
But truthfully, no one knows where the virus that causes it really originated from.
Because the word “monkeypox” was thought to be discriminatory towards Africans (as outbreaks usually occur on that continent) and monkeys, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to change its name.
No, they are not even all caused by a virus.
Mpox, smallpox and cowpox are caused by orthopoxviruses.
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus.
Syphilis is caused by a curvy bacteria called Treponema pallidum.
Without a doubt, smallpox.
Thanks to vaccination, it is eradicated today – there have been no cases since 1977.
But during its day, it caused fever and rashes with small, raised and very unsightly pustules.
Three out of every 10 people who had it died.
And those who survived it had permanent scars on their faces and bodies, and even went blind.
In the last century alone, smallpox killed 300 million people.
That would be chickenpox.
It is mostly mild, even though it can be unpleasant.
But in some cases, it can become severe and cause complications like bacterial infections, infection of the brain, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome and Reye’s syndrome (a disease that swells the brain and liver).
But chickenpox very rarely kills.
That’s because syphilis also causes sores.
Syphilis spreads through sexual contact and is divided into several stages, each of which has different symptoms.
Some of the stages may overlap, and sometimes, you can even be infected with syphilis for years without having any symptoms.
The first stage is primary syphilis.
A small sore called a chancre appears where the bacteria enters your body.
It forms about three weeks after the bacteria has infected you.
Because it is transmitted sexually, the chancre usually appears on your genitals, mouth or even anus.
The chancre heals on its own within three to six weeks.
Secondary syphilis manifests after the chancre heals.
It comes as a reddish rash.
Along with the rash, you may get wartlike sores in your genitals, mouth or anus; fever; aches; sore throat; fatigue; weight loss; and swollen lymph nodes.
Syphilis was called the great pox because of this rash to distinguish it from smallpox.
Without treatment, secondary syphilis can come and go for months or years.
Then syphilis moves to its latent stage.
This stage has no symptoms and it can last for years.
If you do not treat syphilis in its first two stages, the disease will then go on to the tertiary stage for 30% to 40% of patients.
In the tertiary stage, syphilis can damage organs like your brain, nerves, eyes, heart, bones, joints and liver.
Yes, if you go up to the tertiary stage and your organs fail.
In the past, many people died of syphilis because they did not have antibiotics.
But today, people don’t usually die from it any more because we have the antibiotics to treat it, although antibiotic resistance is a growing problem.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
