Anthrax (patient information)

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 * Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Samuel A. Hom

Overview
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. A bacterium is a very small organism made up of one cell. Many bacteria can cause disease. A spore is a cell that is dormant (asleep) but may come to life with the right conditions. There are three types of anthrax:
 * skin (cutaneous)
 * lungs (inhalation)
 * digestive (gastrointestinal)

What are the symptoms of Anthrax?
The symptoms (warning signs) of anthrax are different depending on the type of the disease:
 * Cutaneous: The first symptom is a small sore that develops into a blister. The blister then develops into a skin ulcer with a black area in the center. The sore, blister and ulcer do not hurt.
 * Gastrointestinal: The first symptoms are nausea, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and fever, followed by bad stomach pain.
 * Inhalation: The first symptoms of inhalation anthrax are like cold or flu symptoms and can include a sore throat, mild fever and muscle aches. Later symptoms include cough, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, tiredness and muscle aches. (Caution: Do not assume that just because a person has cold or flu symptoms that they have inhalation anthrax.)

What causes Anthrax?
Anthrax is not known to spread from one person to another.
 * Anthrax from animals. Humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products (like wool, for example). People also can become infected with gastrointestinal anthrax by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.
 * Anthrax as a weapon. Anthrax also can be used as a weapon. This happened in the United States in 2001. Anthrax was deliberately spread through the postal system by sending letters with powder containing anthrax. This caused 22 cases of anthrax infection.

Who is at highest risk?
Use the following link to determine whether or not you are at risk for an Anthrax infection:

[United States Department of Labor]

Diagnosis
Many human illnesses begin with what are commonly referred to as “flu-like” symptoms, such as fever and muscle aches. However, in most cases anthrax can be distinguished from the flu because the flu has additional symptoms. In previous reports of anthrax cases, early symptoms usually did not include a runny nose, which is typical of the flu and common cold.

When to seek urgent medical care?
If you are showing symptoms of anthrax infection, call your health-care provider right away.

Treatment options
Antibiotics are used to treat all three types of anthrax. Early identification and treatment are important. Prevention after exposure. Treatment is different for a person who is exposed to anthrax, but is not yet sick. Health-care providers will use antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin) combined with the anthrax vaccine to prevent anthrax infection. Treatment after infection. Treatment is usually a 60-day course of antibiotics. Success depends on the type of anthrax and how soon treatment begins.

Diseases with similar symptoms

 * Influenza

Where to find medical care for Anthrax?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Anthrax

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The anthrax prognosis will depend on a number of factors, including: Early anthrax treatment for all anthrax types improves the anthrax prognosis.
 * The type of anthrax (see Types of Anthrax)
 * How early the anthrax is diagnosed
 * The strain of anthrax bacteria (Bacillus anthracis)
 * The patient's age and general health.

Possible complications

 * Respiratory distress

Prevention
Vaccination. There is a vaccine to prevent anthrax, but it is not yet available for the general public. Anyone who may be exposed to anthrax, including certain members of the U.S. armed forces, laboratory workers, and workers who may enter or re-enter contaminated areas, may get the vaccine. Also, in the event of an attack using anthrax as a weapon, people exposed would get the vaccine.