Patient Treatment

Supportive Therapy

Supportive therapy is recommended for treating smallpox, plus antibiotics as indicated for treatment of occasional secondary bacterial infections. All patients may require supportive care, such as infection control, fluid therapy, and possible ventilatory assistance. (Remember airway, breathing, circulation). Flat and hemorrhagic types of smallpox should be treated with the same therapies used to treat shock, such as fluid resuscitation. Patients with semi-confluent and confluent types of smallpox may be expected to have therapeutic issues similar to patients who have extensive skin burns. 

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