Description A contagious infect...
Description
A contagious infection caused by the variola virus. Smallpox can be deadly. Naturally occurring small pox was eradicated in 1980 through an aggressive vaccination campaign. The virus still exists in laboratories for investigational purposes. Smallpox is most commonly spread through airborne droplets of infected saliva or mucous, but can also spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, or with infected clothing or objects. People become contagious with the onset of fever, and remain contagious until every scab has fallen off.
Symptoms
Fever, fatigue, severe headache, backache, malaise, raised pink rash, pus-filled lesions that become crusty on day 8 or 9, delirium, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive bleeding.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is usually made clinically but confirmed with a laboratory test.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), viral culture
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis is usually made clinically but confirmed with a laboratory test.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Other Specific Tests: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), viral culture
Treatment
There is no cure for small pox. If the vaccination is given within four days of exposure it may prevent the disease. Unfortunately there are no symptoms in the first four days of the disease and treatment must be started based on a history of exposure.