General Information About Anthrax
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a severe and life-threatening infection that develops as a result of the highly resilient spores (capsules) of the Bacillus anthracis bacteria entering the human body and producing toxins (poisons).
Transmission can occur through bare-handed contact with an infected wound. Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals like cows, sheep, and goats (Zoonosis). It is transmitted to humans who come into contact with a sick animal or eat its undercooked meat.
It is the most common type (95%). The microbe enters through a scratch on the skin. Initially, it is itchy like a bug bite, grows within days, fills with fluid, and forms a coal-black, hard, and absolutely painless sore (malignant pustule) in the center.
Pulmonary Anthrax occurs in those who inhale animal wool or spores, and Gastrointestinal Anthrax occurs in those who eat infected meat without cooking it well. In these types, the microbe rapidly enters the bloodstream, creating a shock state (sepsis) and brain hemorrhage; the mortality rate is very high.
A definitive diagnosis is made by culturing (growing the bacteria) swab, sputum, or blood samples taken from the skin lesion in the laboratory, and via PCR tests.
Anthrax is a bacterium, not a virus; therefore, it is highly susceptible to antibiotics (especially Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, and Penicillin). When diagnosed early, cutaneous anthrax is successfully and permanently cured with strong intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
