Yes - Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) is approved and has efficacy against certain of the more common serious vaccine reactions such as eczema vaccinatum and disseminated vaccinia. However, VIG is not effective against vaccinia encephalitis, and is contraindicated in vaccinia keratitis (VIG may worsen the keratitis and loss of vision). VIG only has efficacy against "vaccinia virus" (the virus contained in the vaccine). VIG has NO efficacy against actual smallpox disease (variola virus).

Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (e.g., intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.

Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola virus. Statistically, one out of three people who contract the disease die. The disease can spread from person to person, and transmission usually occurs only after the patient develops a fever and rash. There is no known treatment for the disease other than vaccination prior to exposure or shortly after the onset of the infection. The last case of smallpox on the planet occurred in Somalia in 1977.

No. Vaccination is currently not recommended, and the vaccine is not available to healthcare providers or the public. In the unlikely chance a case of smallpox is detected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an emergency supply of vaccine to treat 15 million people. Unlike many vaccines, which take weeks or months to be effective, the vaccine for smallpox is effective if given 2-3 days after exposure and can prevent a fatal outcome even when given 4-5 days after exposure.

The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, another “pox”-type virus related to smallpox but that does not cause smallpox. The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. It does not contain the smallpox virus and cannot spread smallpox. (added Nov 13, 2002)

Febrile prodrome: occurring 1-4 days before onset of rash. Fever of at least 101 degrees F and at least one of the following: prostration, headache, backache, chills, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain. Classic smallpox lesions (deep seated, firm, hard, round, well-circumscribed vesicles or pustules and as they evolve lesions may become umbilicated or confluent). Lesions start on face, palms, and soles and spread centrally (the opposite of chicken pox).

Smallpox is less contagious than chickenpox or measles. The great majority of people in a large room will become infected if even only one person has measles, whereas the highest risk for smallpox is face-to face contact, i.e. within 2 meters (6.5 feet). If there is personal protective equipment (fit-tested N-95 masks, gloves, etc.) on you and the patient, the risk of airborne spread becomes very low.

Probably not. Vaccination has been shown to wear off in most people after 10 years but may last longer if a person has been vaccinated on multiple occasions. If health authorities determine that you have been exposed to smallpox or are at risk of infection, they would recommend that you be re-vaccinated immediately.

The smallpox vaccine is the only way to prevent smallpox. The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia, which is another “pox”-type virus related to smallpox but cannot cause smallpox. The vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. It was successfully used to eradicate smallpox from the human population. Routine vaccination of the American public against smallpox stopped in 1972 after the disease was eradicated in the United States. Until recently, the U.S.

Vaccination within 3 days of exposure will completely prevent or significantly modify smallpox in the vast majority of persons. Vaccination 4 to 7 days after exposure likely offers some protection from disease or may modify the severity of disease. (added Nov 13, 2002)

Past experience indicates that the first dose of the vaccine offers protection from smallpox for 3 to 5 years, with decreasing immunity thereafter. If a person is vaccinated again later, immunity lasts longer. (added Nov 13, 2002)

No. The smallpox vaccine does not contain smallpox virus and cannot spread or cause smallpox. However the vaccine does contain another virus called vaccinia, which is “live” in the vaccine. Because the virus is live, it can spread to other parts of the body or to other people from the vaccine site. This can be prevented through proper care of the vaccination site (e.g., hand washing and careful disposal of used bandages). (added Nov 13, 2002) Yes.