Is smallpox curable??
How is smallpox treated? There is no known cure for smallpox. Once symptoms develop, treatment consists of giving the person fluids to prevent dehydration and medication to reduce fever and pain. To prevent the spread of the virus, an infected person must be kept away from other people until he or she is no longer contagious. Can smallpox infection be prevented? People who have survived smallpox have a lifelong immunity to the variola virus. When given in advance of exposure, smallpox vaccine-made from the similar but safer vaccinia virus-will likely protect you from smallpox infection for at least 3 to 5 years, but the actual time is unknown. Revaccinating protects for at least 10 to 20 more years.2 Currently, most of the U.S. population has not been vaccinated in the past 10 years and therefore is susceptible to smallpox infection. When given within 3 days of a suspected exposure, the smallpox vaccine can prevent or significantly lessen the severity of smallpox symptoms in most peopl
