Supportive care for
anthrax involves treating symptoms and complications that develop. The specific supportive treatment will depend on a number of factors, but can include:
- Admission to the hospital
- Intravenous (IV) fluids
- Oxygen
- Breathing support from a ventilator
- Prevention of secondary infections
- Good nursing care.
Providing Anthrax Treatment Before Symptoms Begin
In the event that people are exposed to potentially aerosolized anthrax spores, preventative treatment for anthrax involves 60 days of oral antibiotics, along with a three-dose regimen (0 weeks, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks) of the
anthrax vaccine. This combination may help to prevent the development of
inhalation anthrax.
Sixty days of antibiotics are recommended because it takes anthrax spores an average of seven days to grow into the harmful form of the bacteria, but it can take longer.
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