Anthrax

Anthrax is a rare but serious illness caused by a germ called Bacillus anthracis. This germ usually affects farm animals and wild animals. People can get anthrax by coming into contact with sick animals or things that have come into contact with sick animals.

Importantly, anthrax is not usually spread from person to person. However, it's possible for anthrax sores on the skin to be passed on if someone touches the sore or a contaminated object, like a tool. Most often, the anthrax germ enters the body through a cut or scrape on the skin. You can also get it by eating contaminated meat or breathing in the tiny, spreadable parts of the germ (called spores).

Symptoms of anthrax vary depending on how it's caught. Some possible signs include sores on the skin, vomiting, and a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock). If treated quickly with antibiotics, most anthrax infections can be cured. But inhaling anthrax spores is much harder to treat and can be deadly.

Anthrax is uncommon in countries with advanced medical care. However, it's still a serious concern because it can be used as a weapon. In the past, it has been used in attacks in the United States.

Anthrax comes in different forms, each with its own set of symptoms. There are four main ways people can get anthrax: through cuts in the skin, through eating infected meat, through contact with infected animals, or by breathing in anthrax spores.

Most of the time, you'll start to notice symptoms within six days of coming into contact with the bacteria. But, for inhalation anthrax, symptoms might not show up for more than six weeks. This means that people who breathe in anthrax spores may not experience symptoms right away.

Many common illnesses, like a cold or the flu, can have similar symptoms. It's very unlikely that a sore throat and muscle aches are caused by anthrax.

However, if you think you might have been exposed to anthrax – for instance, if you work in a place where anthrax is a possibility – you should see a doctor right away. This is important to get checked and receive any necessary treatment. Also, if you experience symptoms after handling animals or animal products in areas where anthrax is more frequent, get medical help quickly. Prompt medical care is essential for treating anthrax effectively. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment.

Anthrax is a disease caused by bacteria that live in the soil. These bacteria create tough, dormant spores that can lie hidden for a long time. These spores are found in soil around the world.

While rare in the US, anthrax is more common in many developing countries. Places like Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Southwest Asia, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean have higher rates of anthrax.

Most people get anthrax from contact with infected animals. This could be through touching sick animals, eating their meat, or handling their hides. Sometimes, people in the US have gotten anthrax from making traditional drums out of hides from infected animals.

In very rare cases, anthrax can be spread to humans without animal contact. A famous example is the 2001 bioterrorism attack in the US. In this attack, spores were sent through the mail, infecting 22 people, and tragically, 5 of them died.

More recently, there have been outbreaks in Europe. People who inject heroin were getting anthrax. This is likely because the heroin came from areas with a higher natural occurrence of anthrax bacteria. This resulted in 40 deaths from anthrax.

Getting anthrax requires direct contact with anthrax spores. This contact is more common in certain situations:

• Military Personnel: If you're a soldier deployed to a region where anthrax is prevalent, your risk of exposure is higher. This is because you might be in close proximity to areas with the bacteria.
• Laboratory Workers: People who work in labs handling anthrax samples are at a higher risk due to the potential for exposure to the spores. Strict safety protocols are in place in these settings to minimize this risk, but accidents can still happen.
• Animal Handlers: Working with animal skins, furs, or wool from areas with a history of anthrax outbreaks increases your chance of exposure. This includes handling the hides or other materials from animals that have the disease.
• Veterinarians: Veterinarians, especially those dealing with livestock, are also at a greater risk. This is because they may come into contact with infected animals or their materials.
• Hunters/Game Animal Handlers: While anthrax is uncommon in the United States, it can sometimes affect domestic cattle or wild animals like deer. Handling game animals in areas where these outbreaks occur increases your risk. This includes processing or preparing animals for consumption.
• People Who Inject Drugs: Injecting illegal drugs, especially heroin, can lead to exposure to anthrax. This is because contaminated equipment or substances might introduce the spores into the bloodstream.

It's important to note that even in these situations, exposure to anthrax doesn't guarantee infection. The body's immune response plays a significant role in preventing illness. If you believe you may have been exposed to anthrax, you should immediately seek medical attention.

Anthrax can cause serious problems if it's not treated quickly. Some of the most dangerous complications happen when your body's immune system struggles to fight the infection. This can lead to a widespread problem called sepsis, where the infection affects many parts of your body. Sepsis is very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage.

Another serious complication is inflammation of the membranes around your brain and spinal cord. This is called hemorrhagic meningitis. This inflammation can cause severe bleeding and is often deadly. It's important to get treatment for anthrax right away to prevent these serious complications.

To protect yourself from anthrax after being exposed, the CDC suggests these steps:

1. Antibiotic Treatment: For 60 days, you'll take antibiotics. These include ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and levofloxacin. These are safe and effective for both adults and children. The antibiotics help stop the bacteria from growing and spreading in your body. Doctors will carefully monitor you during this time to make sure the antibiotics are working.

2. Anthrax Vaccine: A series of three shots of the anthrax vaccine is another important part of prevention. This vaccine helps your body build immunity to the anthrax bacteria, making it harder for the infection to take hold.

3. Monoclonal Antibodies: In some situations, your doctor might also recommend monoclonal antibodies. These are special proteins that can help fight off the infection. Raxibacumab and obiltoxaximab are two examples of these antibodies. Your doctor will decide if these are needed based on your individual circumstances, such as how recently you were exposed. Monoclonal antibodies might be used alongside antibiotics or the vaccine.

To figure out if you might have anthrax, your doctor will first ask about your job and other things to see if you might have been exposed. They'll want to make sure it's not something else, like the flu or pneumonia, which are much more common.

If your doctor suspects anthrax, they might start with a quick flu test. If that and other basic tests don't show anything else, they might need more specific anthrax tests. These could include:

• Skin tests: If you have a suspicious skin sore, a small sample of fluid or skin tissue (a biopsy) will be sent to a lab to look for anthrax bacteria in the affected area (cutaneous anthrax).

• Blood tests: A small blood sample will be checked in a lab to look for anthrax bacteria in your blood.

• X-rays or CT scans: If inhalation anthrax is a concern, your doctor might order an X-ray or CT scan of your chest to look for signs of infection in your lungs. A CT scan gives a more detailed picture than an X-ray.

• Stool tests: If gastrointestinal anthrax is suspected, a sample of your stool will be checked for anthrax bacteria.

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): If your doctor thinks you might have a more serious form of anthrax (not just skin or digestive issues), they might perform a spinal tap. This involves inserting a needle into your spinal canal to collect a small sample of fluid. A spinal tap is important because anthrax can sometimes affect the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord (meningitis), and this test helps doctors check for that.