There is no cure for smallpox, but it can be prevented by vaccination. A vaccine contains a substance that causes the body to create immunity to a specific illness. In the smallpox vaccine, the substance is the “live” vaccinia virus, which is similar to but milder than the variola virus that causes smallpox. When released into the body, the immune system develops antibodies and T-cells to fight the vaccinia virus. In doing so, the body has developed the immunity needed to prevent smallpox.
Vaccination up to four days after exposure to the virus and before the rash appears provides protection and/or lessens the impact of the disease. The exact duration of protection against the disease is not known, but historical data indicates immunity for at least ten years. While most countries discontinued their smallpox vaccination programmes in the 1970s, many of those vaccinated will still have some level of protection from the disease.
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