Definition
Definition
Anthrax is an infection, which can be life threatening.
There are 3 forms of human anthrax, depending on where anthrax enters the body:
- Cutaneous (or skin)—due to spores entering a cut or break in the skin (most common)
- Inhaled—from breathing airborne spores into the lungs
- Gastrointestinal—from ingesting spores in raw or undercooked food
Once anthrax is in the body, it multiplies and releases toxins. The toxins cause swelling, bleeding, and tissue death. All forms of anthrax can cause death but inhaled anthrax has a much higher mortality rate once symptoms develop.
Anthrax Can Enter the Body Through the LungsCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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Causes
Causes
Anthrax is caused by exposure to a specific bacteria or its spores. These spores are created by the bacteria and can survive in the environment for decades. The bacteria and spores can be found in the soil and livestock like cattle and goats. It is rare, but people can contract anthrax from:
- Infected animals
- Infected animal products
- Spores in the environment
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Risk factors for anthrax include the following:
- Working in a laboratory with anthrax bacteria
- Working with anthrax-infected animals or their products, such as at a farm, leather tannery, woolery, or veterinary clinic
- Exposure to criminal acts or biologic terrorism
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms usually start within a few days of exposure. They vary depending on the type of disease.
Inhalation Symptoms
Inhalation anthrax symptoms occur in stages over several days. It may start with cold or flu symptoms such as:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Sometimes a brief period of seeming recovery will occur followed by rapid onset of:
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Delirium
- Death
Cutaneous Symptoms
Symptoms may occur in stages:
- Raised bump, like an insect bite, that is itchy and round
- Raised area opens, forming an ulcer with a black area in the center and producing drainage of clear or pinkish fluid
- Swelling around the wound
- Swollen, painful lymph nodes
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
These symptoms will depend on the location of the lesions. Mouth and throat lesions can cause:
- Swelling in throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat
Lesions in the intestines can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. You will also be asked about potential sources of exposure. A physical exam will be done.
Fluid from wounds, mucosal membranes, and body fluids may be tested for bacteria. A blood test may be done to look for the presence of antibodies to anthrax.
If inhalation anthrax is suspected, your doctor may order a chest x-ray to examine your lungs.
Treatment
Treatment
It is important to start antibiotics early. Any delay greatly increases the risk of death, especially with inhalation anthrax. Treatment may be started with IV medications followed by oral antibiotics. You may need to take antibiotics for many weeks.
Inhalation anthrax may also be treated with a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and neutralizes the anthrax bacteria.
If you have skin lesion, they will be carefully cleaned and dressed with bandages.
Public Health Measures
Finding the source of the anthrax is important. Public health officials will check places where the infected person lives and works. Contaminated surfaces should be disinfected. Other people who may have been exposed will be tested. They may be given preventative antibiotics.
Prevention
Prevention
It is difficult to tell if you have been exposed. Anthrax is colorless and has no smell or taste. Seek medical care if you suspect that you have had contact with anthrax. Antibiotics may be able to prevent infection following exposure. There is a vaccine to prevent anthrax. It requires multiple shots and is only partially effective. The vaccine is not recommended for the general population. It is routinely given to military personnel.
Strategies to prevent exposure to anthrax include:
- Avoid contact with infected animals or animal products.
- Do not touch fluid draining from an anthrax wound.
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Handle suspicious mail properly:
- Do not open mail from an unknown source.
- Do not shake packages.
- Do not smell or taste contents.
- Put the parcel down and immediately wash your hands with soap and warm water.
- Call local law enforcement.
RESOURCES:
Military Vaccine Agency—Vaccine Healthcare Centers Network http://www.vaccines.mil
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
References:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated March 30, 2015. Accessed June 10, 2015.
Anthrax. Center for Disease Control CDC website. Available at:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax
Updated May 30, 2015. Accessed June 10, 2015.
Anthrax. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease website. Available at:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/anthrax/Pages/default.aspx
Updated September 30, 2013. Accessed June 10, 2015.
Consensus statement: anthrax as a biological weapon: medical and public health management. JAMA. 1999;281.
Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2000 Dec 15.
5/12/2014 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Bradley JS, Peacock G, et al. Pediatric anthrax clinical management. Pediatrics. 2014 Apr [Epub ahead of print].
Last Updated: 6/20/2014