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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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In cases involving pregnancy, anthrax treatment may require a different antibiotic than would normally be used. This eMedTV article discusses pregnancy and anthrax treatment, and describes side effects seen with antibiotics used to treat anthrax.
As this eMedTV article explains, when comparing the flu to anthrax, keep in mind that early anthrax symptoms usually do not include a runny nose, which is typical of the flu. This article covers things to remember when comparing the flu to anthrax.
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