[tallhappy]

The incubation period of smallpox is usually 12-14 days (range 7-17) during which there is no evidence of viral shedding. During this period, the person looks and feels healthy and cannot infect others

Yes, I have read this. It's just not accurate.

[Dixie Mom]

Do you have another source with better information?

[ElisabethInCincy]

update addition to article the guy does not speak english hmmmmmmmmmm............Officials now believe the anonymous tip says the passenger is a carrier of the virus, and not carrying the disease in some sort of container. He was sitting in business class. Officials have been in contact with some of the plane's crewmembers, who went and spoke with the person in question. They say the person is not exhibiting any visible signs of smallpox. An emergency medical technician is going on board to make a second assessment of the situation. The situation is further delayed as they await interpreters as the man does not speak English. Again, there has not been any confirmation of smallpox on board. Officials are responding to an anonymous tip.

[Penny1]

According to my friend who is a pharmacist, this is pretty darned close to being right-on.

The upshot is, by the time you are actually contagious, you're so sick you're at home in bed, not mixing it up with other people and infecting them. By the time you're well enough again from the initial onslaught, the pustules have begun to appear and unless you've been living on another planet and haven't heard about the possible threat, then you're going to know not to go around exposing people.

My poor pharmicist friend blows a gasket just about every time the news even so much as mentions smallpox because they mangle the actual facts of the disease beyond recognition just to stir up the panic.

-penny