Carl Flint; Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

This photograph depicted an Italian female smallpox patient whose skin displayed the characteristics of late-stage confluent maculopapular scarring on his face, arms and chest.<p>What are the symptoms of smallpox?<p></b> The symptoms of smallpox begin with high fever, head and body aches, and sometimes vomiting. A rash follows that spreads and progresses to raised bumps and pus-filled blisters that crust, scab, and fall off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar.<b><p>If someone comes in contact with smallpox, how long does it take to show symptoms?<p></b> After exposure, it takes between 7 and 17 days for symptoms of smallpox to appear (average incubation time is 12 to 14 days). During this time, the infected person feels fine and is not contagious.<b>