Treatment

There is no proven treatment for smallpox. There are three antiviral therapies that have shown effectiveness against poxviruses in animals and in vitro studies; however, their effectiveness in treating smallpox disease in humans is unknown.

Treatment of smallpox patients generally involves supportive care. Vaccination can prevent or lessen the severity of disease if given within 2 to 3 days of the initial exposure. It may decrease symptoms if given within the first week of exposure.

Treating smallpox patients in a healthcare setting requires isolation and adherence to proper infection and environmental controls.

Emergency Use of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures

During a declared public health emergency involving smallpox, CDC will provide more detailed guidance regarding the availability and use of smallpox medical countermeasures from the Strategic National Stockpile under their appropriate regulatory mechanism (IND, EUA, or Emergency Use Instructions [EUI]).