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Aging Commisions Mid South FAQ's
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Health, Botulism
Health, Food Inspection Program
Health, Hand-Washing
Health, Hepatitis A
Health, Histoplasmosis
Health, Influenza
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Health, Vector-Borne Diseases
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Home Page
Housing Department
Human Resources
Jury Commission
Juvenile Court
Mayor Lee Harris’ Summer Work Experience FAQ’s
Office of Early Childhood and Youth
Office of Justice Initiatives : Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program
Office of Justice Initiatives : Shelby Connects Network
Office of Justice Initiatives : The Pursuit Center
Office of Justice Initiatives : Youth and Family Resource Center
Office of Re-entry
Preguntas frecuentes sobre el Fondo de ayuda para residentes COVID-19
Pretrial Services
Probate Court
Retirement Office
Shelby County Board of Commissioners Grant Program
Shelby County Head Start
Stormwater Fees
Subsurface Sewage Disposal System
Virtual Learning Academy
Water Wells
What is smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus.
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Health, Smallpox
Show All Answers
1.
What is smallpox?
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus.
2.
When was the last case of smallpox reported in the United States?
Smallpox infection was eliminated from the world in 1977.
3.
What is the incubation period for smallpox?
The incubation period is seven to 17 days following exposure.
4.
What are the symptoms of smallpox?
Initial symptoms of smallpox include high fever, fatigue, and head and back aches. A characteristic rash, most prominent on the face, arms, and legs, follows in two to three days. The rash starts with flat red lesions that evolve at the same rate. Lesions become pus-filled and begin to crust early in the second week. Scabs develop and then separate and fall off after three to four weeks. The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death occurs in up to 30% of cases.
5.
How is smallpox spread?
Smallpox 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. Persons with smallpox are most infectious during the first week of illness, because that is when the largest amount of virus is present in saliva. However, some risk of transmission lasts until all scabs have fallen off.
6.
Is a smallpox vaccine available?
The United States currently has an emergency supply of smallpox vaccine.
7.
Is there a treatment for smallpox?
There is no proven treatment for smallpox, but research to evaluate new antiviral agents is ongoing. Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that occur.
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