Smallpox
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In short
Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus that spreads very easily from person to person. Symptoms are flu-like and include a high fever, fatigue, headache, backache, and a rash with flat red sores. There is no treatment, though fluids and medicines for pain or fever can help control symptoms. While worldwide vaccination stopped the spread of the disease decades ago, military and other high-risk groups continue to receive the vaccine.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
Smallpox is a disease caused by the Variola major virus. Some experts say that over the centuries it has killed more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Worldwide vaccination stopped the spread of smallpox three decades ago. The last case was reported in 1977. Two research labs still keep small amounts of the virus. Experts fear bioterrorists could use the virus to spread disease.
Smallpox spreads very easily from person to person. Symptoms are flu-like. They include:
- High fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Backache
- A rash with flat red sores
There is no treatment. Fluids and medicines for pain or fever can help control symptoms. Most people recover, but some can die. Those who do recover may have severe scars.
The U.S. stopped routine smallpox vaccinations in 1972. Military and other high-risk groups continue to get the vaccine. The U.S. has increased its supply of the vaccine in recent years. The vaccine makes some people sick, so doctors save it for those at highest risk of disease.
Related terms in the cited sources
Medicines with an official indication for this condition
- Tecovirimat Treatment
In alphabetical order.
Next to it in ICD-10
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Smallpox?
B03 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Smallpox?
1E70: Smallpox (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
- Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA) — EPAR. © European Medicines Agency.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
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