Smallpox: MedlinePlus

Smallpox: MedlinePlus

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Smallpox

Related Health Topics

• Biodefense and Bioterrorism

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Smallpox is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Languages

• Amharic (amarunya)
• Hmong (Hmoob)
• Spanish (español)

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Vaccine Basics (Smallpox) 03/13/2017 12:49 PM EDT Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Smallpox Signs and Symptoms (Smallpox) 03/13/2017 12:49 PM EDT Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Smallpox What is Smallpox? 03/13/2017 12:49 PM EDT Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Smallpox Summary Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus. Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Worldwide immunization stopped the spread of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was reported in 1977. Two research labs still keep small amounts of the virus. Experts fear bioterrorists could use the virus to spread disease. Smallpox spreads very easily from person to person. Symptoms are flu-like. They include High fever Fatigue Headache Backache A rash with flat red sores There is no treatment. Fluids and medicines for pain or fever can help control symptoms. Most people recover, but some can die. Those who do recover may have severe scars. The U.S. stopped routine smallpox vaccinations in 1972. Military and other high-risk groups continue to get the vaccine. The U.S. has increased its supply of the vaccine in recent years. The vaccine makes some people sick, so doctors save it for those at highest risk of disease. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Start Here Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Smallpox (World Health Organization) Smallpox (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Smallpox  (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)  What is Smallpox? (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Symptoms  Signs and Symptoms (Smallpox) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Prevention and Risk Factors Smallpox Vaccination (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)  Vaccine Basics (Smallpox) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Related Issues Traditional Smallpox Vaccines and Atopic Dermatitis (National Eczema Association for Science and Education) Images Smallpox (Variola) (Logical Images) Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Smallpox  (National Institutes of Health) Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine) Article: Notes from the Field: Adverse Reaction After Vaccinia Virus Vaccination... Article: Donald Ainslie Henderson (1928-2016). Article: Personal reflections on investigations of medical crises in the 1970s:... Smallpox -- see more articles Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases  World Health Organization  Children What Is Smallpox? (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish Teenagers Smallpox (Nemours Foundation)Also in Spanish Patient Handouts Smallpox (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish