How is smallpox spread?
Smallpox is spreads from contact with an infected person, such as direct face-to-face contact. It can also be spread through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. It’s rarely spread through the air, but has been known to spread in enclosed settings such as small buildings, buses, and trains. Smallpox is infectious once a rash appears and until the last smallpox scab falls off.
Smallpox normally spreads from contact with infected persons. Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Indirect spread is less common. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.
• Smallpox normally spreads from contact with infected persons. • Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. • Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. • Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.
A. Smallpox is caused by the variola virus, which is spread through close contact with a person who has symptoms of the disease. A person with smallpox has infected saliva, and face-to-face contact can spread the virus. The virus could also be spread through other body fluids and contaminated clothing or bed linen. Smallpox is highly contagious, and people who have it are most infectious during the first week of illness. Q. What are the symptoms of smallpox? A. The first symptoms of smallpox usually appear between a week and 17 days after exposure to the virus, and can include high fever, fatigue, headaches, backaches, and vomiting. The next symptom, which appears in the next two to three days, is a rash on the face, arms, legs and other areas of the body. The rash turns into raised bumps that become pus-filled blisters. Scabs develop and usually fall off three to four weeks later. Q. How dangerous is smallpox? A. The CDC classifies smallpox as a Category A agent, a designation given t
