Smallpox: Duration, Symptoms, and Long-Term Effects

Smallpox is an acute, contagious infectious disease caused by the variola virus. Symptoms typically appear 10–14 days after infection, and commonly include fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. A rash then develops, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. The rash typically lasts for 2–3 weeks and leaves scars. Smallpox can be fatal, with a mortality rate of up to 30%.

Smallpox is considered a long-term disease because it can cause complications and long-term effects, such as scarring, blindness, and pneumonia.