infections
Smallpox
Treatment of Smallpox
Supportive measures Possibly, antiviral drugs Treatment of smallpox is supportive. It includes fluids, symptom relief, assistance with breathing (for example, with a face mask to supply oxygen), and treatments to maintain blood pressure. Antiviral drugs have not been tested in smallpox because they did not exist when the disease was present. However, if smallpox were to return, doctors think thattecovirimat,cidofovir, orbrincidofovirmight be helpful.Tecovirimatandcidofovirare currently part of the Strategic National Stockpile, the nation’s largest supply of potentially life-saving drugs for use in a public health emergency (seeCDC: Smallpox Prevention and Treatment). 