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.

days (the average is 10-12 days). Initially, there is a "febrile prodrome" with fever, headache, and backache. Rash starts ~ 3-4 days after the start of this "febrile prodrome". Patients are NOT contagious until the rash appears.

Unlike anthrax, smallpox is contagious. It is spread from one person to another by infected saliva droplets that expose a susceptible person having face-to-face contact with the ill person. Historically, smallpox spread was slower than the spread of chicken pox or measles. Patients spread smallpox primarily to household members and friends. Large outbreaks in schools were uncommon.

A: Ichthyosis is definitely not contagious. It is not caused by a bacteria, virus, or germs, and thus it cannot be passed from one person to another.

No, epilepsy is never contagious. You cannot catch epilepsy from someone else and nobody can catch it from you.

In many respects, yes. If you have one on your feet, it would be unwise to pick at it and it can spread to someone else if that person has the potential towards getting that virus in the same way certain people have the potential for catching a certain cold. The wart virus likes to linger around moist environments such as pools, spas, locker rooms, public showers (such as those at the gym). Wearing flip flops or crocs in these areas is always a good idea.

Yes. About 1% of the population carries MRSA on the skin – they are considered to be ‘colonized’ with MRSA and are generally asymptomatic. People who are exposed to the organism from a carrier generally do not get sick from it, or develop only mild illnesses (similar to normal staph infections). However, if a minor infection is not cared for, or if there are other factors (e.g., compromised immunity), then the infection may become more serious.

EMS is not a contagious disease. There should not be fears about that. Naturally, chronic diseases such as EMS may have profound effects upon close family members of the sick person and might contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, problems with children accepting the illness, or other physical and emotional conditions in loved ones. But this occurs with any chronic illness that goes on for many years - which is what a chronic illness is, an ongoing one.

Vitiligo is NOT contagious. If it were, many more people in the world, including doctors who treat vitiligo and family members of those with vitiligo, would have the condition. There are many theories about what causes vitiligo, but many experts believe, and data supports the theory, that one must be genetically susceptible, in order to develop vitiligo.

While the exact cause of the disease is not known, what is known indicates that Parkinson's is not contagious. Parkinson's is a neurological, not a mental, disorder. In the majority of cases, it slows the body, not the mind. However, when brain cells are affected by medication, some emotional changes can be expected. Anxiety and depression are very common among people with Parkinson's and may occur due to seratonin imbalance, a side effect of certain medications.

No, it's important to note that BSE is not a contagious disease; spread occur through the ingestion of infected material, generally brain or spinal cord tissue.

Yes, definitely. But they can't jump from head to head and they can't fly. The only way they can be transmitted is by direct contact (heads touching) or indirect contact (a hat passed around which has been worn by a person with headlice).

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).