Work-Related Diseases
Find information on occupational work-related diseases including diseases, category and group, synonyms, severity, latency, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments and options.
Smallpox
Occupational Disease Smallpox
Smallpox Category Infection, Occupational
Smallpox Severity
Acute-Severe
Smallpox Synonyms
Variola virus infection
Information on Smallpox Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Screening and Imaging
There have been no new cases since 1978, but it is possible that smallpox will be released by bioterrorists in an aerosol cloud. Symptoms begin with malaise, fever, vomiting, backache and headache. A rash begins two to four days later with rapid progression from macules to papules to deep pustular vesicles. Lesions are more abundant on the extremities and face and appear in the same stage of maturity in a given area (unlike chickenpox in which the lesions are more superficial vesicles in various stages of maturity more abundant on the covered parts of the body). The fatality rate is 20-40% in unvaccinated populations. [Chin, p. 455-7] Since transmission from person to person by droplets and aerosols does not occur until onset of the rash when most patients are bedridden, most secondary cases would occur in households and hospitals. Laundry and waste from patients are potential sources of infection. Smallpox can be rapidly confirmed in the laboratory by electron microscopy of fluid from vesicles or pustules. [Henderson DA, et al. Smallpox as a biological weapon. JAMA. 1999;281(22):1735-45.]
Smallpox Latency
7-19 days, usually 10-14 days for onset of illness and 12-16 for onset of rash
Smallpox References
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/Smallpox/Smallpox.asp