Smallpox
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is it?
- Smallpox is caused by a virus (variola virus) that may cause serious sickness or death. The last known case of smallpox that occurred naturally was in 1977. Routine vaccinations in the U.S. were stopped in 1972. The world was declared free of smallpox by the World Health Assembly in 1980.
- There are 4 different types of smallpox. The first two make up about 90% of all smallpox cases. The second two make up 10%.
- Variola minor - a milder form of smallpox. There are fewer blisters and the patient is not as sick. The rate of death is about 1%.
- Variola major - a more severe form of smallpox. There are more blisters and the patient is very sick. The rate of death is about 30%.
- Hemorrhagic (hem-o-RAJ-ik) smallpox - Patients get sick much faster and there is bruising and bleeding under the skin. The rate of death is over 90%.
- Malignant smallpox - Patients with this kind of smallpox get sick quickly as well, but the rash stays red and flat and never changes. The rate of death is over 90%.
- Variola minor - a milder form of smallpox. There are fewer blisters and the patient is not as sick. The rate of death is about 1%.
How do you get smallpox? The smallpox virus is passed through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can survive in the environment for 24-48 hours. It can also be passed through kissing, or close face-to-face contact. You may also be exposed to smallpox from dirty bedding or clothing, or other skin contact.
What are the symptoms of smallpox?
- High fever.
- Bad headache and back ache.
- Tiredness.
- Rash to the mouth, throat, face, arms, trunk (chest and back), and legs.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- Bleeding.
How is smallpox diagnosed? Caregivers can usually tell that you have smallpox by your symptoms. It can also be diagnosed by sending samples to a State Health Department laboratory.
What is the treatment for smallpox? There is no medicine that will get rid of the smallpox infection. Your caregiver will treat your symptoms. You may be given IV liquids and medicine for pain and fever. You may also get antibiotics for any other infection. Getting a smallpox vaccination up to 4 days after you are exposed to the virus may prevent an infection. The vaccination may help the disease from being too bad if you get sick. Research is being done to find medicine that may help smallpox infection.
Should I get a smallpox vaccination? Routine vaccination is no longer done in the U.S. The vaccine is not available to the general public. The only people who would get the vaccine are:
- Laboratory workers that have direct contact with the virus.
- People that have been exposed to smallpox.
- People in the military.
- Healthcare workers.
Am I protected by the vaccination I received as a child? It is not known how long the smallpox vaccination is effective. It may be only 5-10 years. If you got a vaccine as a child, you may have some protection.
What is the difference between smallpox and chicken pox? Chicken pox may have some of the same symptoms as smallpox. It may be hard to tell the difference in the first few days. The following are symptoms of both diseases.
Chicken pox:
- Fever and rash start at the same time.
- Blisters develop in little clusters at different times.
- Blisters are small and closer to the surface.
- More blisters on the body (chest and back).
- Few blisters on the face, arms, hands, or feet.
- Disease develops quickly.
Smallpox:
- Fever starts 2-3 days before the rash.
- Blisters develop at the same time.
- Blisters are larger and deeper into the skin.
- More blisters on the face, arms, legs, feet, and hands.
- Disease develops more slowly.
What should I do if I am exposed to smallpox? If you think you have been exposed to smallpox, call your caregiver right away. You may be isolated (kept away from others) in the hospital or at home. You may receive the smallpox vaccine. Other people you have been with should call their own caregivers. Your doctor will call your local health agency to notify them of your sickness.
What are complications of smallpox infection?
- Scar tissue near the eyes may cause blindness.
- You may get a skin infection from the lesions.
- You may get pneumonia.
- You may get a brain infection.
- You may have infection in your eyes.
- You have get arthritis or have infection in your bones.
- You may have deep scars on your skin.
- You may die.
What is the risk of a smallpox outbreak? There is no risk of a smallpox outbreak that happens naturally. There is a chance that smallpox could be used as a weapon of bioterrorism.
Where can I get more information about smallpox?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-404-6393311
Phone: 1-800-3113435
Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
- National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
NIAID Office of Communications & Public Liaison
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-6612
Phone: 1-301-496-5717
Web Address: www3.niaid.nih.gov
- World Health Organization
Web Address: www.who.int
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
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