Anthrax symptoms and prevention

Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can infect the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Anthrax is highly contagious and can be fatal. Usually spread to humans from animals, mainly cattle, goats and sheep.


CAUSE
The bacteria Bacillus anthracis.


The bacteria are dormant (sleeping) can survive in soil and animal products (eg wool) for decades. Infection is usually entered through the skin, but can also come from contaminated meat or inhaling spores or bacteria.


SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can appear within 12 hours - 5 days after exposure to the bacteria. Skin infection begins as a red-brown lumps of enlarged with swelling around it. Bumps turn into blisters and harden, then break up and remove the center clear liquid and form a black scab. Lymph nodes in the affected area may swell, and the patient felt unwell, sometimes muscle pain, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Pulmonary anthrax (woolsorter disease) results from inhaling spores of anthrax bacteria. Spores divide in the lymph nodes near the lungs. The lymph nodes then rupture and bleed, spread the infection to nearby structures in the chest. In the lungs and in the cavity between the lung and chest wall buried infected fluid. At first, symptoms are vague and resemble the flu. But later, the fever got worse and within a few days severe respiratory distress occurs, followed by shock and coma.

Infection can also occur and membranes of the brain (meningoencephalitis). Although given early treatment, type of anthrax is almost always fatal. Gastrointestinal anthrax is rare. Bacteria can grow into the walls of the intestines and release toxins that cause extensive bleeding and tissue death. If it spreads into the blood stream, this infection can be fatal.


Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on symptoms, supported by a history of contact with animals. To diagnose lung infections, sputum samples can be taken to be cultured, but the laboratory is not always able to find a bacterial cause.


TREATMENT
Skin infections are treated with injections of penicillin or tetracycline or erythromycin by mouth.

Lung infection treated with intravenous penicillin. Corticosteroids are used to reduce lung inflammation. If treatment is delayed (usually because the diagnosis is uncertain), then the likelihood of death will occur.


PREVENTION
People who have a high risk of contact with animals (eg veterinarians, technicians and workers laboratoriuim textile mills which process animal fur) can get vaccinated.