What is smallpox?

Also known as: variola, variola vera.

Smallpox is a dangerous viral infection. It was eradicated globally in the 1980s due to the widespread distribution and use of immunizations. In most cases, children are currently not immunized for smallpox due to the low risk of developing the disease now.

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Reviewed by: P. Marcelo Laufer, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM