Osmosis video - Smallpox: Nursing

Smallpox is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the variola virus. Some of the risk factors for contracting smallpox before its eradication, included close contact with an infected client or contaminated surfaces, infancy, older age and immunodeficiency. Nowadays, clients with occupational exposure, such as laboratory researchers that study Variola virus, health care workers, first responders, and military personnel can also be at risk.

Infected people typically presents symptoms 10-14 days after exposure, which include high fever, headache, back pain, malaise, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and after 1-4 days of these symptoms, a rash appears, which evolves to form macules to papules to vesicles, and eventually crusts.

Treatment usually involves supportive care as well as post-exposure prophylaxis to reduce the severity of the disease. Goals of nursing care include preventing disease transmission and providing supportive care. Client and family teaching is focused on learning about the disease and infection control measures.