The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Smallpox may include:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Smallpox include:
The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Smallpox:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Smallpox.
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but the smallpox vaccine appears to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that persons who are investigating monkeypox outbreaks and caring for infected individuals or animals should receive smallpox vaccination. Persons exposed to individuals or animals confirmed to have monkeypox should also receive vaccinations (up to 14 days after exposure).
Vaccinia immune globulin may be considered in some cases, such as in patients who are severely immunocompromised. There is no data available on the effectiveness of cidofovir in the treatment of human monkeypox cases.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Chickenpox calls for droplet and contact isolation until all vesicles and most of the scabs are dry (no new lesions; usually 1 week after the onset of the rash). Children with only a few remaining scabs are no longer contagious and can return to school. Congenital chickenpox requires no isolation.
In most cases, treatment consists of local or systemic antipruritics: lukewarm oatmeal baths, calamine lotion, or diphenhydramine (or another antihistamine). Antibiotics are unnecessary unless bacterial infection develops. Salicylates are contraindicated because of their link with Reye's syndrome.
Susceptible patients may need special treatment. When given up to 72 hours after exposure to varicella, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin may provide passive immunity. Acyclovir and famciclovir, antiviral agents, may slow vesicle formation, speed skin healing, and control the systemic spread of infection.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Treatment for smallpox requires hospitalization with droplet and contact precautions, antimicrobial therapy to treat bacterial complications, vigorous supportive measures, and symptomatic treatment of lesions with antipruritics, starting during the pustular stage. If the smallpox vaccination is given within 1 to 4 days of exposure to the disease, it may prevent illness or lessen symptoms. Treatment once the disease has started is limited.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Patients must remain in strict isolation until all the vesicles and most of the scabs disappear (usually for 1 week after the onset of the rash). Children can go back to school, however, if just a few scabs remain because, at this stage, varicella is no longer contagious. Congenital varicella requires no isolation.
Generally, treatment consists of the following:
❑ local or systemic antipruritics
❑ cool bicarbonate of soda baths
❑ calamine lotion
❑ diphenhydramine or another antihistamine
❑ antibiotics if bacterial infection develops.
Salicylates are contraindicated because of their link to Reye’s syndrome.
Susceptible patients may need special treatment. When given up to 72 hours after exposure to varicella, V-Z immune globulin may provide passive immunity. Acyclovir may slow vesicle formation, speed skin healing, and control the systemic spread of infection.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Treatment requires hospitalization with strict isolation, antimicrobial therapy to treat bacterial complications, vigorous supportive measures, and symptomatic treatment of lesions with antipruritics, starting during the pustular stage. Anti-inflammatories, codeine or, as needed, morphine relieve pain; intravenous infusions and gastric tube feedings provide fluids, electrolytes, and calories because pharyngeal lesions make swallowing difficult.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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