SMALLPOX
FACT SHEET
What is smallpox?
Smallpox is a serious, contagious and sometimes fatal disease caused by the variola virus. Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but now the disease does not occur because of a successful worldwide vaccination program.
How do you get it?
Generally, people get smallpox by direct and fairly lengthy face to face contact with an infected person. Smallpox can also be spread by direct contact with infected body fluids or objects such as clothes or bedding contaminated with infected body fluids. Only people become sick with smallpox. There is a small possibility that smallpox can be spread through the air in enclosed settings like buildings, buses and trains. Except for laboratory stockpiles the virus has been eliminated. Since smallpox does not naturally occur anywhere in the world, an outbreak of this disease now would be intentional. Since the events of 2001, the United States government believes that the smallpox (variola) virus may be used as a biological weapon.
What are the symptoms?
The first symptoms of smallpox are high fever, head and body aches and sometimes vomiting.
After that a rash will first begin as small red spots on the tongue and in the mouth. These spots then develop into sores with fluid. When the sores break, a large amount of virus spreads into the mouth and throat. This is the most contagious stage of the disease. At the same time the mouth sores break, the rash will begin on the body first as red bumps, then sores with fluid and finally the sores will break and form scabs.
How soon do infected people get sick?
When someone is exposed to smallpox they will usually get sick in about 12 to 14 days, but this time can range from 7 to 17 days. The first symptoms of fever and aches will generally last 2 to 4 days, and then the rash should begin.
What should I do if I think I have smallpox?
If you think you have smallpox you should contact your doctor immediately. When smallpox symptoms start they can sometimes be confused with chickenpox. Your doctor will be able to tell if you have smallpox or not. There are currently no medicines to treat the virus, but a person with smallpox may be helped by intravenous (IV) fluids, medicine to control fever or pain, and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.
How can we prevent smallpox?
Because smallpox does not spread as easily as measles or the flu, measures like vaccination and isolation can control outbreaks and stop the spread of the disease. CDC has made detailed plans to protect Americans against the use of smallpox as a biological weapon. If smallpox cases are recognized, public health agencies will use television, radio, newspapers and other means of communication to tell the public what to do to protect themselves and their families. The vaccine for smallpox is very effective and will be used. The vaccine is effective even when given after a person is exposed, however this should be done as soon as possible. Isolation may be used to stop the spread of the virus, this time period would be at least 18 days. If an outbreak of smallpox occurs:
Where can I get more information on smallpox?
Source of information:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)