Smallpox
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Smallpox is a serious and contagious disease caused by the variola virus. It was once one of the deadliest diseases in the world, killing millions of people throughout history. However, thanks to a global vaccination campaign, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Smallpox spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects and via respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interaction.
There are no natural cases of smallpox today, but samples of the virus are kept in secure laboratories for research purposes. Because of bioterrorism concerns, smallpox remains a disease of interest for public health preparedness.
Symptoms
The rash and blisters are the most visible signs of smallpox and are highly contagious. Symptoms typically appear about 10 to 14 days after infection and may include:
- •High fever
- •Fatigue
- •Severe headache
- •Back pain
- •Vomiting
- •Rash that starts on the face and spreads to the limbs
- •Raised bumps that become pus-filled blisters, then scab over and fall off
Diagnosis
Because smallpox no longer occurs naturally, any suspected case would be treated as a public health emergency. Diagnosis would be confirmed through laboratory testing, including virus isolation and molecular testing (PCR).
Treatment
There is no cure for smallpox, but supportive care can help manage symptoms. In recent years, antiviral medications like tecovirimat (TPOXX) and brincidofovir have been approved for use in the event of a smallpox outbreak.
Prevention
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent smallpox. The smallpox vaccine is not part of routine immunizations today, but it is still available for certain groups, such as laboratory workers or military personnel.
In the event of an outbreak, smallpox vaccines would be distributed to at-risk populations using a "ring vaccination" strategy, where close contacts of confirmed cases are vaccinated to stop the spread.
Sources
- Written by Love Hurts, Inc.
- Medically Reviewed by Kecia Gaither, MD. on November 1, 2025
- CDC: "Smallpox – CDC Fact Sheet"
- WHO: "Smallpox"
- Mayo Clinic: "Smallpox Overview"
- WebMD: "What Is Smallpox?"
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