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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