Smallpox (cont.)
Medical Author:
Christopher J Hogan, MD
Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. IN THIS ARTICLE
Smallpox PrognosisSmallpox is one of the most communicable of all infectious diseases. Studies have shown that about 30% of people exposed to the virus can become infected. Of those who are unvaccinated, 30% may die. Survivors of the disease may experience severe complications, including deeply scarred skin, blindness, arthritis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), and fetal infections during pregnancy resulting in additional severe complications or death of the fetus. Next Page: Must Read Articles Related to Smallpox
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Viewer Comments & ReviewsSmallpox - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What were your symptoms of smallpox? |
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Smallpox »
Smallpox is an acute contagious disease caused by the variola virus (Poxvirus variolae), a member of the Poxviridae family of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
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