What is smallpox?
Smallpox is an illness with high fevers and a severe rash caused by a virus called variola. The rash spreads and progresses to raised bumps and pus-filled blisters that crust, scab, and fall off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar, which can leave permanent scars when healed. The smallpox virus is contagious, though less contagious than viruses such as influenza and chickenpox. Up to one-third of persons who are infected may die. The smallpox virus no longer occurs naturally, due to the success of the vaccination program led by the World Health Organization to rid the world of this disease. The last natural case of smallpox in the world was in 1977.
Smallpox is a serious, contagious and often fatal infectious disease caused by variola virus. There currently is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (e.g., intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.
Smallpox is a severe viral infection that was eliminated from the world in 1977. Symptoms include fever, aches, vomiting, and a distinctive rash. The rash appears first on the face and extremities and later on the trunk. The rash distribution is in the same stage of development in any given area. This is different from the rash of chickenpox. Smallpox can be prevented with smallpox vaccination, which was discontinued in the United States in 1972. Vaccination has been shown to wear off in most people after 10 years, so persons who have been vaccinated against smallpox in the past probably have no antibody protection against this disease. There is no known treatment for smallpox, although approximately two-thirds of those infected with this virus have survived previous outbreaks. In the event of an outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clear guidelines to swiftly provide vaccine to people exposed to the disease. (Back to the Top) Is smallpox contagious? Small
Smallpox is an ancient disease caused by the variola virus. Early symptoms include high fever and fatigue. The virus then produces a characteristic rash, particularly on the face, arms and legs. The resulting spots become filled with clear fluid and later, pus, and then form a crust, which eventually dries up and falls off. Smallpox was fatal in up to 30% of cases. Smallpox has existed for at least 3,000 years and was one of the world’s most feared diseases until it was eradicated by a collaborative global vaccination programme led by the World Health Organization. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. Since then, the only known cases were caused by a laboratory accident in 1978 in Birmingham, England, which killed one person and caused a limited outbreak. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1979.
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease caused by variola virus. There currently is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. (However, current efforts are underway to evaluate antiviral agents that might be effective in treating smallpox, and there have been some very initial results with the drug cidofovir that suggest it may be useful.) Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (e.g., intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.
