KyiMayKaung

Burma, America, The World, Art, Literature, Political Economy through the eyes of a Permanent Exile. "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the oppressed. Sometimes we must interfere. . . There is so much injustice and suffering crying out for our attention . . . writers and poets, prisoners in so many lands governed by the left and by the right." Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Speech, 1986, Oslo. This entire site copyright Kyi May Kaung unless indicated otherwise.

Friday, February 13, 2026

AI overview--

AI Overview

No, people generally cannot get smallpox (caused by the variola virus) more than once, as survivors develop lifelong immunity to the disease. Historically, once a person survived a smallpox infection, they were immune to further attacks, and in rare instances of re-exposure, the illness was not contracted again.

Key details regarding immunity and infections:

Lifelong Immunity: Survivors of smallpox have natural, long-lasting immunity.

Vaccination: Vaccination with the vaccinia virus provides protection, typically lasting 3 to 5 years, and can protect against future exposures.

Erroneous Beliefs: The idea that smallpox could be caught multiple times is inaccurate based on clinical history.

Current Status: Smallpox was officially eradicated in 1980; therefore, naturally acquired, repeat infections are impossible today.

While the virus itself does not cause repeat, chronic, or relapsing infections in an individual, the severity of the initial infection can leave permanent scars or, in some cases, cause death (roughly 30% fatality rate).