Anthrax

Anthrax FAQ

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 3 types of anthrax:

1.      Skin (cutaneous)

2.      Lungs (inhalation)

3.      Digestive (gastrointestinal)

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). Also, people can become sick by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. Symptoms vary depending on the type of 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.)

Treatment depends on whether the person has been infected or exposed. For those who have been exposed but not yet sick, healthcare providers will use a combination of antibiotics and the anthrax vaccine to prevent infection. A 60 day course of antibiotics is typically the treatment for infected individuals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies agents with recognized bioterrorism potential into three priority areas (A, B and C). Anthrax is classified as a Category A agent. Category A agents are those that:

• Pose the greatest possible threat for a bad effect on public health
• May spread across a large area or need public awareness
• Need a great deal of planning to protect the public’s health

For additional information, visit the Centers for Disease Control.