Anthrax
More common in animals than humans, anthrax is a serious disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. This eMedTV article offers an overview of anthrax, offering information about transmission, symptoms, and diagnosis of the disease.
Bacillus Anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium that causes anthrax. This eMedTV resource takes a closer look at this bacterium, explaining how its hardiness and toxicity make it a formidable bioterrorism agent and how it is transmitted.
Anthrax Treatment
Antibiotics and supportive care can help relieve symptoms and complications of an anthrax infection. This eMedTV article explains anthrax treatment in detail and discusses preventative treatment options in cases of suspected exposure.
Anthrax Vaccine
As this eMedTV resource explains, the anthrax vaccine is not recommended for general use -- anthrax is rare, and side effects are possible with the vaccine. This article also discusses who should receive the vaccine.
Anthrax Symptoms
As this eMedTV page explains, symptoms of cutaneous anthrax often begin with a small, raised sore that resembles an insect bite, but later becomes a blister. This article provides an in-depth look at anthrax symptoms for all three types of the disease.
Cutaneous Anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax is a type of infection in which bacteria enter a cut or abrasion. As this eMedTV resource explains, this is the most common form of anthrax, accounting for about 95 percent of all cases of the disease, but it responds well to treatment.
Cause of Anthrax
As this eMedTV segment explains, the cause of anthrax is the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. This article discusses this topic in greater detail and explains how the different forms of anthrax develop based on how the bacteria enter the body.
Anthrax Diagnosis
As this eMedTV article explains, tests used to make a diagnosis of anthrax include blood tests and chest x-rays. Making a diagnosis also involves ruling out other more common conditions that may be causing symptoms.
Cure for Anthrax
Typically, anthrax is cured with antibiotics. As explained in this eMedTV article, anthrax treatment has a 99 percent success rate when used in cases of cutaneous anthrax; however, the success rate for other types of the disease is lower.
Inhalation Anthrax
Inhalation anthrax is a rare form of anthrax infection caused by breathing in anthrax bacteria or spores. This eMedTV article discusses this disease in detail, including information about its symptoms and treatment.
Gastrointestinal Anthrax
As this eMedTV Web page explains, gastrointestinal anthrax is a disease caused by eating meat contaminated with anthrax bacteria or their spores. This article describes symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax and explains how the disease is treated.
Anthrax Prognosis
As explained in this eMedTV resource, an anthrax prognosis is a medical opinion as to the outcome of the disease. This article looks at factors that affect an anthrax prognosis, such as the type of the disease and the strain of bacteria involved.
Is Anthrax Contagious?
Many people wonder, "Is anthrax contagious?" As explained in this segment of the eMedTV website, anthrax is not contagious. This article takes an in-depth look at how anthrax is transmitted -- either from animals or as the result of a bioterrorism.
Types of Anthrax
As this eMedTV page explains, a person may have one of three types of anthrax: cutaneous anthrax, inhalation anthrax, or gastrointestinal anthrax. This article describes the symptoms of the different types in detail, as well as transmission methods.
Anthrax Death Rate
The anthrax death rate is the percentage of people who die from the disease. As this eMedTV article explains, the anthrax death rate is influenced by factors such as the type of anthrax infection and the strain of the Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax Screening
Anthrax screening is the act of testing people for the disease, even though they have no anthrax symptoms. As explained on this eMedTV Web page, a routine, effective anthrax screening test has yet to be developed.
Anthrax Transmission
Anthrax transmission occurs either from contact with infected animals or animal products, or through bioterrorism. This eMedTV article explains both of these methods of anthrax transmission in detail.
