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Last Updated:
13 Aug 09 |
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- Smallpox is caused by a germ called variola virus.
- Smallpox spreads by face-to-face contact with a contagious person over an hour or more.
- Contact with infected skin can also transmit the virus.
- Infection through contact with inanimate objects (e.g., clothing, towels, linens) is also possible, but uncommon.
- Once infected, a person will usually begin to experience symptoms 12 to 14 days after exposure.
- People with smallpox become contagious after their temperature goes over 101°F (38.3°C). Soon after, a rash appears which develops into whitish blisters. Eventually these blisters scab over. A person is contagious until all their scabs fall off.
- Not everybody who talks with or is near a smallpox patient will get the disease. Historically, people with smallpox infect about half of the people in their household.
- On average, each infected person may infect about 3 to 5 other people.
- Animals and insects do not carry or transmit smallpox disease.
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