Overview
Diagnosis
If a smallpox outbreak occurred today, most health care providers would likely not recognize the virus in its early stages. This delay in identification could allow the infection to spread quickly within a community.
Because even a single case of smallpox qualifies as a public health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts specialized laboratory testing. Tissue samples are examined in high-security labs, and these tests can confirm with certainty whether a person is infected with the smallpox virus.
Treatment
If someone were infected with smallpox, newly developed antiviral medications might be used as part of treatment. Research on these medicines continues, as human cases of smallpox no longer occur.
Medications that may be considered include:
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Tecovirimat (Tpoxx): Approved in the U.S. in 2018, this drug has shown effectiveness in animal studies and lab testing. It has not been tested in people with smallpox, but studies in healthy volunteers show it is safe.
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Brincidofovir (Tembexa): Approved in the U.S. in 2021, this medication was also tested in animals and laboratories. While not tested in people with smallpox, it has been safely given to healthy individuals and to people with other viral infections.
It remains unknown whether these antiviral drugs would work effectively in a person infected with smallpox. Ongoing research continues to explore additional treatment options.
History of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccines timeline
Learn about the major outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics throughout history, including the role vaccines and scientific research played in reducing the impact of many infectious diseases.
Find out more at History of infectious disease outbreaks and vaccines timeline.
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