What treatment is available for smallpox?
Although research continues, there is currently no proven treatment for smallpox. Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections. The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death occurs in up to 30 percent of cases. Smallpox vaccine, if given to people who are exposed to smallpox within four days of exposure, may lessen the severity of the illness or possibly prevent it entirely.
