Smallpox

Question 1

What is the vector and reservoir of smallpox? Is it zoonotic?

Answer 1

Humans are both; not zoonotic

Question 2

How do smallpox and chickenpox differ?

Answer 2

• Incubation: Smallpox (7–17 days), Chickenpox (14–21 days)
• Prodrome: Smallpox (2–4 days), Chickenpox (minutes)
• Spread: Smallpox (centrifugal), Chickenpox (centripetal)
• Evolution of scabs: Smallpox (synchronous), Chickenpox (asynchronous)
• Infectivity ends: Smallpox (after scab separation), Chickenpox (after scabbing)

Question 3

How is smallpox managed?

Answer 3

Quarantine for 21 days; no cure; ~33% fatality

Question 4

What’s the vaccine timeline for anthrax vs. smallpox?

Answer 4

Anthrax: before exposure; Smallpox: post-exposure vaccination effective