Smallpox differential diagnosis

In the past, chickenpox was regularly mistaken for smallpox. Pustular scarring that can be seen in the face is a common symptom of both infections. Many times herpes zoster and erythema multiforme produce a vesicular rash and fever that has been confused with smallpox.

Conditions to consider

• Insect bites

• Kawasaki diseases

• Measles

• Monkeypox

• Rubella

• Atypical measles

• Coxsackievirus

• Acne

• Acute leukemia

• Secondary syphilis

• Molluscum contagiosum

• Infectious mononucleosis

• Toxic erythemas

• Rat-bite fever

• Parvovirus B19

• Cytomegalovirus

• Scarlet fever

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome

• Syphilis

• Monkeypox

• Varicella-zoster virus

• Drug eruptions

• Chickenpox

Differential

• Influenza

• Meningococcemia

• Rickettsialpox

• Poxviruses

• Meningitis

• Enteroviruses

• Herpes zoster

• Malaria

• Impetigo

References