Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 07 Feb 2023
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- fever
- rash
- malaise/prostration
Full details
Other diagnostic factors
- headache
- backache
- pharyngitis
- nausea/vomiting
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- delirium/confusion
- seizures
Full details
Risk factors
- laboratory contact
- bioterrorism
- close contact with confirmed case
Full details
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- polymerase chain reaction
- CBC
- BUN and electrolytes
- LFTs
- venous lactate
- clotting screen
Full details
Tests to consider
- blood culture
- malaria antigen test
Full details
Treatment algorithm
INITIAL
suspected smallpox
Contributors
Authors
Miguel G. Madariaga, MD, MSc, FACP
Infectious Diseases Consultant
Naples Community Hospital
Naples
FL
Disclosures
MGM declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Ziba Jalali, MD, PhD
Infectious Disease Physician
Cedar Sinai Medical Center and Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Torrance
CA
Disclosures
ZJ declares that she has no competing interests.
Jimmy Whitworth, MD, FRCP, FFPH, FMedSci, DTM&H
Emeritus Professor
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
London
UK
Disclosures
JW declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Mpox (monkeypox)
- Chickenpox
- Disseminated herpes zoster
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Smallpox
- Smallpox: for clinicians
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