What is the Diagnosis of Smallpox?

Smallpox has been eradicated and naturally occurring smallpox has not been reported since 1977. If you believe that you may have been exposed to smallpox; consult your doctor immediately.

Your doctor can diagnose smallpox based on the clinical signs and symptoms. Definitive diagnosis of smallpox is made by isolation of the virus from the blood or lesions, or by identification of antibodies formed in the body in response to the infection.

To obtain a sample to check for smallpox your doctor may take throat swab, samples from a freshly opened pustule, or sample fluid from a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). In some cases, cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (also known as Guarnieri bodies) may be identified within the cells as they an indication of smallpox infection.

Tests for diagnosing smallpox are not done commonly. These tests are done in specialised laboratories with the highest bio-safety levels, appropriate testing techniques and measures to protect the laboratory workers. Viral cultures, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) are some of the tests which may be done to make a definitive diagnosis of smallpox on the sample.

Presently smallpox is considered an international public health emergency and even one case of smallpox has to be notified to appropriate authorities immediately.

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