Clinical
Effects of Smallpox: Pathophysiology of Natural Infection
Prodrome
(pre-eruptive stage)
The prodrome,
or pre-eruptive stage, usually lasts between one to four days. (22:V1:3) The
pre-eruptive stage of the illness begins abruptly with fever, malaise,
headache, muscle pain, prostration and often nausea and vomiting
and backache. (19:5) The temperature usually
rises to at least 101¾ F, and is often higher. A severe febrile
prodrome prior to rash onset is characteristic of smallpox, and
helps differentiate it from many other causes of rash illness. (19:5)
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