Smallpox: When to seek medical help?

The disease has been eradicated so it is highly unlikely that you have smallpox. But due to the threat of its use as biological warfare or accidental exposure to the virus while working with it, it might be possible to get infected.

If you believe that you may have been exposed to smallpox or the symptoms of the illness are similar to smallpox; consult your doctor immediately. There is no treatment for smallpox. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the disease.

In case of exposure, smallpox vaccination within 3 days can completely prevent infection or significantly decrease the severity of disease in most patients. The protection is less but vaccination within 4 to 7 days after exposure also offers some protection for combating the disease. The vaccine offers protection from smallpox for about 3 to 5 years but it is not effective after the signs and symptoms develop.

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