Public Health Emergency Preparedness
This resource was part of AHRQ's Public Health Emergency Preparedness program, which was discontinued on June 30, 2011, in a realignment of Federal efforts.
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Figure 4.8a. Febrile Rash Illness Algorithm for Evaluating Patients Suspected of Having
Smallpox
Figure 4.8b. Classification of Risk—Febrile Rash Illness Algorithm
High Risk (All three major criteria)
- Febrile prodrome (1.4 days pre-rash, >101° F), and
- Classic smallpox lesions, and
- Same stage of development.
Moderate Risk
- Febrile prodrome, and
- 1 other major or >4 minor criteria.
Low Risk
- No fever or
- Febrile prodrome and <4 minor criteria.
Minor Criteria
- Greatest concentration of lesions on face and distal extremities.
- Lesions first appeared on oral mucosa/palate, face, forearms.
- Patient appears toxic or moribund.
- Lesions evolve slowly from macules to papules to pustules over days.
- Lesions on palms and soles.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Poster: Evaluating patients for smallpox.
Note: Full protocol available at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/diagnosis/evalposter.asp.
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