- ID Snapshot
a) The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death may occur in up to 30% of patients.
b) Direct and prolonged face-to-face contact is the only means of spread of smallpox from one person to another.
c) An infected person is contagious until the last scab falls off.
d) The vaccinia vaccine (smallpox vaccine) is a live virus, so one dose will provide lifelong immunity against smallpox.
e) There is no proven treatment for smallpox, but some antivirals may be tried (cidofovir, brincidofovir, tecovirimat).
Answer: a, c and e are correct