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| Anthrax
bacterium under the microscope |
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a colorless, odorless, tasteless bacterium that protects
itself from sunlight, heat and disinfectant by forming a protective
coat. With this coat, the bacterium is called a "spore."
The spores are so small that even an infectious dose - between
8,000 and 10,000 spores - is smaller than a speck of dust.
If inhaled, anthrax spores can germinate and lead to infection
within one to 60 days. This is pulmonary anthrax, which usually
causes death.
Less lethal forms include cutaneous infections, which occur if
anthrax spores come in contact with a cut or other opening in
the skin.
Another form of anthrax develops in the intestine of those who
eat improperly cooked meat of animals that have been infected
with anthrax.
Is anthrax contagious?
Anthrax does not spread from person to person. It is a "one-time
agent" - to catch it a person must come directly in contact
with the bacterium.
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Symptoms of pulmonary anthrax are very similar to the flu, which
can make an initial diagnosis somewhat difficult. However, in
light of recent events many doctors have a heightened awareness
of the possibility, and are therefore more likely to diagnose
it.
Symptoms of the disease vary depending on how the disease was
contracted, but usually occur within seven days. The Centers for
Disease Control list the following:
Cutaneous: Most (about 95 percent) anthrax infections occur when
the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when
handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially
goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised
itchy bump that is dark in color and resembles an insect bite
but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless
ulcer, usually 1-3 centimeters in diameter, with a characteristic
black area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may
swell. About 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax
will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate therapy.
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After
several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems
and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow
the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an
acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea,
loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain,
vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results
in death in 25 percent to 60 percent of cases.
What is the treatment for anthrax?
Antibiotics, including Ciprofloxacin (sometimes shortened to
"cipro") and penicillin can be effective if administered
after infection. For pulmonary anthrax, the drugs must be administered
very soon after infection.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2001-10-17 01:00