Inhalation Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax is an uncommon type of anthrax, a potentially fatal disease caused by infection with Bacillus anthracis bacteria. Also known as pulmonary anthrax, inhalation anthrax is caused by breathing in the anthrax bacteria or spores. Early symptoms of inhalation anthrax may include fever, nausea, vomiting, aches, and fatigue. If diagnosed early, inhalation anthrax may be treated successfully with antibiotics; however, most infected people mistake the symptoms for less serious illnesses and don't seek treatment until more serious symptoms develop, such as labored breathing.

 

Inhalation Anthrax: An Overview

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Inhalation anthrax is an uncommon type of anthrax caused by breathing in the anthrax bacteria or spores. Inhalation anthrax is also known as:
 
  • Pulmonary anthrax
  • Pneumonic anthrax
  • Respiratory anthrax.
     

Inhalation Anthrax Infection

When the Bacillus anthracis bacteria or spores are inhaled, they germinate and the bacterial cells infect the lungs. The cells then spread to the lymph nodes in the chest. As the anthrax bacteria grow, they produce two kinds of deadly toxins. One of these toxins (known as edema factor) can contribute to a fatal build-up of fluid in the cavity surrounding the lungs. It also can inhibit some of the body's immune functions. Another toxin (known as lethal factor) disrupts a key molecular switch that regulates the cell's functions. Lethal factor can kill infected cells or prevent them from working properly.
 

Symptoms of Inhalation Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax symptoms usually appear 1 to 7 days after exposure, but they may first appear more than a month later.
 
Common early symptoms of inhalation anthrax are often similar to those seen with the flu and may include:
 
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Aches
  • Fatigue.
     
Inhalation anthrax symptoms can progress to:
 
  • Labored breathing
  • Shock
  • Death.
     
(Inhalation Anthrax Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD