MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Smallpox lesions

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Smallpox lesions

Smallpox is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Smallpox virus has been eradicated worldwide through successful vaccination and treatment programs, and now exists only as a stored virus in a few research centers. Symptoms include a severe rash (which leaves scars), fever, headache, vomiting and diarrhea.

Update Date: 6/20/2007

Updated by: Arnold L. Lentnek, MD, Division of Infectious Disease, Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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