Variola Vaccinia (Noun)
Meaning
A local infection induced in humans by inoculation with the virus causing cowpox in order to confer resistance to smallpox; normally lasts three weeks and leaves a pitted scar.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The vaccination technique developed by Edward Jenner involved exposing individuals to the variola virus's less virulent relative, resulting in variola vaccinia.
- Inoculation with variola vaccinia provides a mild infection but enough to elicit a strong immune response against smallpox.
- Jenner observed that people who contracted cowpox did not develop smallpox, which led to his pioneering technique of inducing variola vaccinia as a form of vaccination.
- Upon recovery, the variola vaccinia leaves a pitted scar on the site of inoculation.
- By introducing the variola vaccinia virus into humans, the resulting mild infection serves as a defense mechanism against the deadlier smallpox.