Anthrax: symptoms, causes and treatment

Anthrax disease

Anthrax or anthrax is a serious bacterial infection caused by bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Under normal conditions, bacteria produce spores that are inactive (dormant) and live in the soil. When the spores enter the body of an animal or human, they become active.

The active spores then begin to divide, producing toxins, spreading them throughout the body and causing serious illness. It can affect the skin, lungs, and, in rare cases, the digestive tract.

Anthrax is very rare. A person can get it through contact with infected animals, wool, meat or skins of animals.

Types of anthrax

Anthrax types differ based on how the bacteria entered the body. All types of anthrax can spread throughout the body quickly and cause death if not treated promptly. Here's the full explanation:

1. Cutaneous anthrax

This type occurs when spores get into the skin through cuts or scrapes. This condition occurs when a person touches an infected animal, or contaminated animal products, such as wool, skin, or hair.

Skin anthrax most commonly occurs on the head, neck, forearms, and hands. This disease attacks the skin and tissue around the infection site.

This is the most common form of anthrax and is considered the least dangerous with proper treatment. Infection usually develops from 1-7 days after exposure. Without treatment, people with this condition can die.

2. Inhalation anthrax

You can get this condition when you inhale the bacterial spores Bacillus anthracis. Inhalation anthrax usually starts in the lymph nodes in the chest before spreading throughout the body, eventually causing severe breathing problems and shock.

This type is considered to be the deadliest form of anthrax. The infection usually develops within a week of exposure, but can take up to two months. Without treatment, the disease is almost always fatal.

3. Gastrointestinal anthrax

Anthrax of this type is transmitted when a person consumes meat from infected animals that are raw or undercooked. Once ingested, anthrax spores can invade the upper digestive tract (throat and esophagus), stomach, and intestines.

This infection usually develops 1-7 days after exposure. Without treatment, more than half of patients with gastrointestinal anthrax die.

4. Anthrax injection

In addition to the three types of anthrax that have been mentioned, there is one type that has recently been discovered in Northern Europe, namely anthrax in the use of illegal drugs by injection. This condition is similar to cutaneous anthrax, but can spread more quickly throughout the body and is more difficult to treat.

Symptoms of anthrax

Symptoms of anthrax depend on the type of infection and can start at any time, from 1 day to more than 2 months to appear. Distinguished by type, the following symptoms of anthrax disease:

Cutaneous anthrax

The following are the symptoms that arise due to skin anthrax:

• A red-brown lump that is itchy and painless with a black center.
• Lumps usually appear on the face, neck, arms, or hands.
• Nearby lymph nodes may become enlarged and painful.
• Patients also sometimes experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever and headache.

Inhalation anthrax

The initial symptoms of this type of anthrax are similar to those of the flu, but they can get worse quickly. Symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Sweating (often wet)
• Body aches
• Excess fatigue
• Headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Chest discomfort, such as tightness and coughing
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

Gastrointestinal anthrax

Symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax include:

• Fever and chills
• The neck or glands in the neck swell
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Swallowing pain
• Hoarseness
• Nausea and vomiting, especially vomiting blood
• Diarrhea or bloody stools
• Abdominal pain
• Fainting
• Enlarged stomach

Anthrax injection

Following are the symptoms of anthrax injection:

• Fever and chills
• Groups of small, itchy bumps appear at the injection site over the surface of the skin
• The sore with a black center appears after the lump
• Swelling around the wound
• Abscess deep under the skin or muscle where the drug is injected

When should I see a doctor?

If you live in or are visiting an area at high risk for anthrax, or if you have any of the above signs or symptoms or other questions, consult your doctor.

Causes of anthrax

The cause of anthrax is bacterial spores Bacillus anthracis that is active. Spores can survive in the environment for years then germinate and divide. The spores only become poisonous and spread throughout the body upon contact with animals and humans.

Risk factors

Anyone who has been in contact with anthrax spores could be at risk for developing this condition. Although rare, there are several conditions that can put people at greater risk than others, namely:

• People who process animal products
• Veterinarians who work with infected animals
• Farmers who work with infected animals
• Travelers visiting high risk areas
• Laboratory workers working with anthrax
• Postmen, military personnel, and volunteers
• Exposure during biological terror events involving anthrax spores
• Eat raw meat from infected animals

Anthrax diagnosis

Anthrax is diagnosed based on your symptoms, a physical examination, a history of high-risk exposure, and by making sure that another disease is not causing your symptoms.

To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor can perform the following tests:

• Skin examination
  Fluid samples from suspicious skin lesions can be tested in the laboratory for signs of skin anthrax.
• Blood test
  In this procedure, your blood will be drawn and examined in a laboratory.
• X-ray or computed tomography (CT) of the chest
  Your doctor may order this procedure if you suspect inhaled anthrax.
• Stool testing
  To diagnose gastrointestinal anthrax, your doctor may examine a sample of your stool for anthrax bacteria.
• Spinal injection
  This is done if the doctor suspects that anthrax is other than the skin type, as it may be associated with meningitis.

Anthrax medication

All types of anthrax can be prevented and treated with antibiotics. People exposed to anthrax can be given oral antibiotics, such as:

• Amoxicillin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Doxycycline

The above antibiotics need to be consumed for 60 days to prevent recurrence.

The longer therapy is delayed, the greater the health risks involved. So, therapy is usually started as soon as possible when anthrax is suspected.

Anthrax prevention

In order to protect yourself from the dangers of anthrax, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following prevention efforts:

Get an anthrax vaccination

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent transmission of anthrax. However, until now the anthrax vaccine is not available to the public, as cases are very rare.

Anthrax vaccine is also mandatory for people who are susceptible to infection, such as:

• People who manage farms or own livestock.
• People who process livestock products, especially in high-risk areas for anthrax.
• Veterinarians or people whose work involves animals.
• People who research the anthrax bacteria in the laboratory.
• Military personnel serving in high-risk areas for anthrax.

Anthrax vaccination was administered 5 times over a period of 18 months. In addition, people who are at risk also need to get vaccines booster once a year for added protection against infection.

Take antibiotics

Antibiotic consumption is a preventative measure for people who have been exposed to anthrax. For example, when you come into contact with farm animals, they die from anthrax.

You need to get 3 anthrax vaccines in 4 weeks plus 60 days of antibiotics. Antibiotics can be consumed in the form of ciprofloxacin or doxycycline. If you are allergic to the anthrax vaccine, you will only be given antibiotics.

Precautions for vulnerable workers

People who work in farms, laboratories, and places that are prone to being contaminated by anthrax bacteria can take the following precautions:

• Ensure that the work environment is well ventilated.
• Do not touch the eyes, nose and mouth while working.
• Wash your hands with soap.
• Wearing long sleeves and trousers.
• Wearing special shoes for work.
• Use eye protection, gloves and an N-95 mask.
• Wash clothes used when working with detergent.
• Keeping the work environment clean.
• Do not bring items from outside the work environment.

Those who work in risky environments also need to take preventive measures so that the people closest to them are protected from anthrax.

The key to preventing anthrax is to maintain a clean work environment and monitor the health of the surrounding livestock. If you are in a risk group, don't forget to get vaccinated regularly to protect yourself and your family.