Smallpox: clinical features, prevention, and management.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe a general overview of smallpox, clinical presentation, diagnosis, adverse events, and management of both pre- and postexposure vaccination.

DATA SOURCES:

Literature was identified by search of MEDLINE (1966-June 2003) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1966-May 2003) databases using the key terms smallpox, bioterrorism, biological warfare, and smallpox vaccine.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Articles identified from data sources were evaluated, and relevant information was included in this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Smallpox is spread by human-to-human contact with an infected host and therefore can be contagious. The mortality rate for smallpox is approximately 30%. While the disease was completely eradicated by 1980 with successful use of smallpox vaccine, concern has been raised that smallpox may emerge as a tool of bioterrorism. This concern, combined with the reality of current smallpox vaccination programs in the military and selected civilian populations, mandates a clear understanding of vaccination-related adverse events and contraindications by all healthcare professionals. The vaccine may cause moderate to severe adverse events such as eczema vaccinatum, progressive vaccinia, and generalized vaccinia.

CONCLUSIONS:

The balance between the risks and benefits of mass vaccination in prevention of an epidemic is not clear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a guideline for appropriate use of smallpox vaccine in the civilian population.

• Authors: Roy Guharoy, Robert Panzik, John A Noviasky, Edward P Krenzelok, Donald C Blair
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) Vol. 38 Issue 3 Pg. 440-7 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14755066 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Organophosphonates
• Organophosphorus Compounds
• Smallpox Vaccine
• Cytosine
• Cidofovir

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bioterrorism
• Cidofovir
• Cytosine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Organophosphonates
• Organophosphorus Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Smallpox (drug therapy, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Smallpox Vaccine (adverse effects)