ANTHRAX

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Contact with anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. Anthrax is not contagious, which means you can’t catch it like the cold or flu.

People get infected with anthrax when spores get into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the body, they can be “activated.” When they become active, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in the body, produce toxins (poisons) and cause severe illnesss.This can happen when people breathe in spores, eat food or drink water that is contaminated with spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.

Symptoms

Localized: A painless skin sore (ulcer) with a black center that appears after the small blisters or bumps. Most often the sore will be on the face, neck, arms, or hands
Generalized:

Fever and chills
Swollen neck glands
Chest Discomfort
Shortness of breath
Confusion or dizziness
Cough
Hoarseness
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains
Headache
Sweats (often drenching)
Extreme tiredness and body aches

Swelling of abdomen

Diagnosis

To measure antibodies or toxin in blood
To test directly for Bacillus anthracis in a sample blood

skin lesion swab
spinal fluid
respiratory secretions

Samples must be taken before the patient begins taking antibiotics for treatment.

Xray

Preventions

Use of respirators, protective clothing, and the anthrax vaccine by people at risk.

Risk Factors

People Who Handle Animal Products
Veterinarians
Livestock producers
Traveler
Laboratory Professionals
Mail handlers, military personnel, and response workers who may be exposed during a bioterror event involving anthrax spores