Smallpox Quiz


How Much Do You Know About Smallpox?

Smallpox was once found throughout the world, causing illness and death wherever it occurred. Smallpox was primarily a disease of children and young adults, with family members often infecting each other. A massive program by the World Health Organization eliminated all known smallpox viruses from the world in 1977. Although the disease no longer exists, samples of the agent that caused smallpox were saved by various governments for research purposes.

1. Smallpox is caused by:
2. Smallpox is spread through close contact with a person who has symptoms of the disease. When is a person with smallpox infectious?
3. Because there are currently no cases of smallpox anywhere in the world, what would constitute an outbreak?
4. Which symptom of smallpox infection appears first?
5. In the past, smallpox was often confused with which other illness?
6. What trace of smallpox often remains after the infection ends?
7. How is smallpox treated?
8. If a person is diagnosed with smallpox, the person should be:
9. A vaccine can prevent smallpox. How often is it given?
10. How is the vaccine given?