Vaccinia - Symptom, Treatment and cause of Vaccinia

Vaccinia Description

Complication of smallpox vaccination. This vaccination is now unavailable and unnecessary as smallpox has been eliminated world wide.

Vaccinia Cause

Smallpox vaccination was given by scratching the vaccine into the skin. If the patient had eczema, dermatitis, significant burns or other skin damage this complication could occur. Patients with vaccinia can spread the reaction to close contacts.

Vaccinia Symptom

Spread of vaccination reaction across skin to cause varying rashes, ulceration and rarely internal spread to vital organs such as the brain (encephalitis).

Investigation

None usually necessary.

Vaccinia Treatment

None available.

Prognosis of Vaccinia

Variable.