Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Smallpox risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
People who work in laboratories with the virus are at risk of contracting smallpox. Before its eradication, risk factors for developing smallpox included: physical contact with a patient with the disease, contact with contaminated body fluids, and exposure to contaminated aerosolized particles.[1]
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Prior to Eradication
- Physical contact with someone with smallpox
- Direct contact with infected bodily fluids
- Direct contact with contaminated surfaces
- Exposure to aerosolized particles from someone with smallpox
Present
- Laboratory work with the virus
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]