Smallpox

Treatment Overview

There is no cure for smallpox. After symptoms start, treatment consists of supportive medical care, including giving the person fluids to prevent dehydration and medicines to control pain and fever. New treatments, such as medicines that work well for other viral diseases, may also be tried.

Isolating the person until all the scabs have fallen off—about 3 to 4 weeks after the rash first appears—is necessary to prevent spreading the infection to others.

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH Carrie Henley	Last Updated: May 1, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology
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