Both chickenpox and smallpox are caused by viruses with similar names and symptoms at first. Yet, these illnesses cannot be compared to one another. Blistering sores on the skin are the hallmark of both smallpox and chickenpox. The rash from chickenpox, however, tends to cluster on the face, stomach, and back and spreads over the hands. The effects of smallpox are felt most keenly in the extremities. Read this article to find out Which is Deadlier, Smallpox, or Chickenpox. Here differences between smallpox and chickenpox are also discussed.
Difference Between Smallpox and Chickenpox
As was already said, there is no way that these two illnesses can be compared. Even if the symptoms are identical, it’s not the same.
- The last case of smallpox was in 1980, making it a sporadic disease. The chickenpox virus is still circulating in some regions. In 1995, a chickenpox vaccine was introduced.
- Symptoms of smallpox include a high body temperature followed by the formation of blisters on the skin. Conversely, chickenpox is an infectious skin illness that manifests itself as itchy red bumps.
- When compared to chickenpox, smallpox is a much more serious illness. Unlike smallpox, chickenpox is not deadly contagious.
- The variola virus causes smallpox. The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox.
- The incubation period for smallpox ranges from 7 to 17 days. Chickenpox has a 14- to the 21-day incubation period.
- Smallpox can cause serious problems, like blindness, while chickenpox usually makes people uncomfortable.
- Sores from chicken pox appear at different times and in different places. Most of the time, they are on your stomach, chest, and back. Sometimes, they are on your palms or the bottoms of your feet. On the other hand, smallpox sores showed up all over the body at the same time. They were mostly on the face, arms, and legs, but they could also be on the palms and soles.
- Most people only get smallpox once but can get chickenpox more than once.
Which is Deadlier, Smallpox or Chickenpox?
The variola virus is responsible for the transmission of smallpox—one of the deadliest diseases ever recorded in human history. In most cases, the disease is transmitted by personal contact with an infected person or by sharing personal items like towels or clothing contaminated by that person. Smallpox can cause a high fever, severe body aches, and a rash that can be fatal in some cases.
On the other hand, chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. A mild fever, a rash, and itching characterize it. Even though it can be unpleasant, most people get over it without problems. The rate of death from chickenpox is much lower than that of smallpox. About 9 out of 10 people who get the virus are thought to recover completely.
Chickenpox is not as dangerous as smallpox, which is the main distinction between the two. As a result, now that smallpox has been eradicated, everyone must get vaccinated against chickenpox because it can be dangerous.