Anthrax Articles
Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to anthrax including topics such as anthrax death rate, cutaneous anthrax, and inhalation anthrax. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.
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.
This eMedTV article discusses Bacillus anthracis -- the bacterium that causes anthrax. This article takes a closer look at this bacterium, explaining how the hardiness and toxicity of Bacillus anthracis make it a formidable bioterrorism agent.
Anthrax treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care to relieve the symptoms and complications of the infection. This eMedTV article explains anthrax treatment and discusses preventative treatment options in cases of suspected exposure.
As this eMedTV resource explains, the anthrax vaccine is not recommended for general use -- anthrax is rare, and there are side effects associated with the anthrax vaccine. This article discusses who should receive the anthrax vaccine.
In the most common form of anthrax, symptoms begin with a small, raised sore that resembles an insect bite, but later becomes a blister. This eMedTV article provides an in-depth look at anthrax symptoms for all three types of the disease.
Cutaneous anthrax is a form of anthrax infection in which anthrax bacteria enter a cut or abrasion. As this eMedTV resource explains, cutaneous anthrax is the most common form of anthrax, accounting for about 95 percent of all cases of the disease.
The cause of anthrax is the bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis. This eMedTV article discusses the cause of anthrax and explains how the inhalation, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous forms of anthrax develop based on how the bacteria enter the body.
Making an anthrax diagnosis involves ruling out other more common conditions that may be causing symptoms. As this eMedTV article explains, tests used to make an anthrax diagnosis include blood tests and chest x-rays.
The cure for anthrax usually involves antibiotics. As explained in this eMedTV article, the cure for anthrax 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 is a rare form of anthrax infection caused by breathing in anthrax bacteria or spores. This eMedTV article discusses inhalation anthrax in detail, including information about its symptoms and treatment.
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.
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.
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.
As explained in this eMedTV resource, a person may have one of three types of anthrax: cutaneous (skin) anthrax, inhalation anthrax, or gastrointestinal anthrax. This article describes the symptoms of the different types of anthrax in detail.
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 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 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.