Types of Anthrax: An Overview
Types of Anthrax: Cutaneous Anthrax
About 95 percent of anthrax infections are
cutaneous anthrax. This type of anthrax occurs when
Bacillus anthracis enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, which can happen when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather, or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals.
Cutaneous anthrax skin infection begins as a raised, itchy bump that resembles an insect bite, but within 1 to 2 days develops into a blister. This blister then turns into a painless ulcer with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center (see
Anthrax Pictures). Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell.
About 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths from this type of of the disease are rare when appropriate
anthrax treatment is received.
Types of Anthrax: Inhalation Anthrax
Inhalation anthrax is caused by breathing in the anthrax bacteria or spores. Most of the time, this anthrax occurs by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products. It can also occur if anthrax was used as a biological weapon.
Initial
anthrax symptoms may resemble a
common cold. After several days, the symptoms may worsen to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
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