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Smallpox
Smallpox is a viral infection caused by the Variola virus (an Orthopoxvirus) that can affect people of all ages. Smallpox is contagious and has a 30% fatality rate. The infection manifests with a fever, which precedes the development of a progressive rash that occurs all over the body starting in the mouth and on the face. The rash appears as firm, fluid-filled, and singularly dimpled bumps that eventually become crusty and then form scabs. The rash can persist for several weeks and leaves pitted scars when the scabs fall off. There is no known treatment for smallpox.
Millions of people died during widespread smallpox epidemics in the past. Fortunately, smallpox was eradicated as a naturally occurring disease in 1980 after a successful worldwide vaccination program. There have been no cases in the United States since 1972. Most persons born before 1971 were vaccinated once against smallpox. Currently there are no recommendations for vaccination of the general public against smallpox, although there is concern that this virus could be used for bioterrorism. The United States has an adequate supply of smallpox vaccine for those who would need it in the event of such an outbreak. This includes all those known to be directly exposed, health care workers, public health workers, and volunteer responders to the crisis situation. The March 11, 2009, issue of JAMA includes an article about smallpox vaccination.
DIAGNOSIS
- Based on symptoms and appearance of the rash, definitive testing must be done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or at a CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN) designated variola testing laboratory.
- Testing is done using a tissue sample from the skin of the infected person, taken from one of the rash lesions.
PREVENTION
- People who have had smallpox and survived are immune (protected against reinfection).
- Vaccination helps to prevent infection in people who are exposed or at immediate risk of exposure and can be effective even when given 3 to 4 days after exposure.
- Hospitalization and isolation of the infected person and vaccination of those who have had close direct contact with that person, particularly after the rash began to develop
- Previous vaccination does not provide lifelong immunity and booster vaccination is necessary for those who may be or have been exposed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
INFORM YOURSELF
To find this and other JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page link on JAMA's Web site at http://www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.
TOPIC: INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Carolyn J. Hildreth, MD, Writer;
Alison E. Burke, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2009;301(10):1086.
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Clinical and Immunological Response to Attenuated Tissue-Cultured Smallpox Vaccine LC16m8
Tomoya Saito, Tatsuya Fujii, Yasuhiro Kanatani, Masayuki Saijo, Shigeru Morikawa, Hiroyuki Yokote, Tsutomu Takeuchi, and Noriyuki Kuwabara
JAMA. 2009;301(10):1025-1033.
ABSTRACT
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