How to Distinguish Chickenpox and Smallpox
Chickenpox Smallpox
Sudden onset
slight fever
mild constitutional symptoms
(both may be more severe in adults)
Sudden onset
fever
prostration
severe body aches
abdominal pain
vomiting
Rash
present at onset
Clear-cut prodromal illness
Rash
follows 2-4 days after fever
begins decreasing
Rash Progression
maculopapular for a few hours;
vesicular for 3-4 days
followed by granular scabs
Rash Progression
macular, popular, vesicular, and
pustular
followed by crusted scabs
fall after 3-4 weeks if client
survives
Rash is
“centrifugal”
most abundant on truck or areas
usually covered by clothing
Rash is
“centripetal”
most abundant on face and
extremities
Lesions
appear in “crops”
various stages in the same area of
the body
Lesions
same stages in all areas
Vesicles
superficial
collapse on puncture
mild scarring may occur
Vesicles
deep seated
do not collapse on puncture
pitting and scarring are common