Smallpox (CDC Handout)

Question 1

How long is the incubation period of smallpox?

Answer 1

7-17 days, no symptoms, not contagious

Question 2

What is the prodrome phase of smallpox and how long does it last?

Answer 2

Fever of 101-104, malaise, head and body aches, sometimes vomiting and lasts for 2-4 days, sometimes contagious

Question 3

What is the early rash phase of smallpox?

Answer 3

Starts as small red spots on tongue and in mouth, develops into sores that spread large amounts of virus into mouth and throat, person becomes contagious now

Question 4

What will happen with smallpox after the sores in the mouth disappear?

Answer 4

The rash appears on the skin, first on face then arms, legs, then to hands and feet. It takes 24 hours to spread to entire body

Question 5

What happens on the 3rd day of smallpox rash?

Answer 5

It becomes raised bumps

Question 6

What happens by the 4th day of smallpox rash?

Answer 6

Filling with thick, opaque fluid and often have a depression in the center (distinguishing from chickenpox)

Question 7

What is the pustular rash phase of smallpox?

Answer 7

Bumps become pustules: they are sharply raised, usually round and firm to the tough (as if there is a BB under the skin), lasts 5 days and is contagious

Question 8

What is the pustules and scab phase of smallpox?

Answer 8

Pustules begin to form a crust and then scab

Question 9

When have the most pustules scabbed over by in smallpox?

Answer 9

By the end of the second week, def contagious

Question 10

What is the resolving scabs phase of smallpox?

Answer 10

Scabs begin to fall off leaving behind pitted scars, most fall off in 3 weeks after the rash appears, stil contagious

Question 11

How long until a person is no longer contagious with smallpox?

Answer 11

Until all the scabs have fallen off = scabs resolved phase

Question 12

When is smallpox the most infectious?

Answer 12

7-10 days following rash onset, some patients may be contagious during the prodrome phase