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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 side effects are possible with the vaccine. This article also discusses who should receive the vaccine.
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.
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.
