Is there any treatment for smallpox?
Smallpox can be prevented through use of the smallpox vaccine. There is no proven treatment for smallpox, but research to evaluate new antiviral agents is ongoing. Early results from laboratory studies suggest that the drug cidofovir may fight against the smallpox virus; currently, studies with animals are being done to better understand the drug's ability to treat smallpox disease (the use of cidofovir to treat smallpox or smallpox reactions should be evaluated and monitored by experts at NIH and CDC). Patients with smallpox can benefit from supportive therapy (e.g., intravenous fluids, medicine to control fever or pain) and antibiotics for any secondary bacterial infections that may occur.

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1. What should I know about smallpox?
2. How serious is the smallpox threat?
3. What are the symptoms of smallpox?
4. If someone comes in contact with smallpox, how long does it take to show symptoms?
5. Is smallpox fatal?
6. How is smallpox spread?
7. If smallpox is released in aerosol form, how long does the virus survive?
8. How many people would have to get smallpox before it is considered an outbreak?
9. Is smallpox contagious before the smallpox symptoms show?
10. Is there any treatment for smallpox?
11. What is the smallpox vaccine, and is it still required?
12. Should I get vaccinated against smallpox?
13. How is the vaccine given?
14. What is the smallpox vaccine made of?
15. Is it possible for people to get smallpox from the vaccination?
16. Is it possible to get vaccinia, the virus in the vaccine, from someone who has recently been vaccinated?
17. How safe is the smallpox vaccine?
18. Who should not get the vaccine?
19. Should you get the smallpox vaccine if you have a weakened immune system (e.g., you are immunocompromised)?
20. Is there a danger to them (or to an unborn child) if broader vaccination occurs, increasing the potential for contact with vaccinated people?
21. Is there any way to treat bad reactions to the vaccine?