Smallpox is the oldest disease known to man - at least 3000 years old - and has claimed countless lives since it first came to be. It was an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus family. As human society progressed, so did its approach to dealing with illnesses and diseases. The first concepts of medical diagnosis and prognosis came from India. By the Middle Ages, surgical practices were becoming widespread. This led to universities that began training physicians. The Renaissance period brought about the invention of the microscope. This helped physicians understand illnesses and diseases better. This led to the effective treatment of various infectious diseases. The 19th century brought about a renewed focus on the importance of proper hygiene.

By the time the 20th century came, the practice of medicine became a legitimate profession and has become widespread since. Smallpox was finally eradicated in 1979 through the collaborative vaccination program led by the World Health Organization. Modern medicine has made great strides thanks in large part to technological advancements. There have been various films and documentaries that chronicle various diseases in history. It shows how they came to be and the efforts that health care practitioners did to stop it. One of the most recent ones was the Netflix health documentary series, Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak. With all that's going on in the world right now, observing proper hygiene and maintaining good health is of the utmost importance. We thought it would be a good time to check out some of the best health documentaries and films to watch on Netflix while you stay at home and keep safe. Check them out below, be informed, and be entertained while doing so.