{"id":1535,"date":"2020-05-12T12:04:58","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T12:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blog.kayawell.com\/?p=1535"},"modified":"2020-05-14T05:15:05","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T05:15:05","slug":"anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention","title":{"rendered":"Anthrax- Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factor and Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Anthrax<\/strong> is a rare, but severe illness caused by Bacillus anthracis, a\nspore-forming bacterium. Anthrax mainly affects wild game and livestock. Human\nbeings can become infected through direct or indirect contact with diseased\nanimals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no\nproof that anthrax is spread from person to person, but lesions of the anthrax\nskin can likely be infectious through direct contact. The anthrax bacteria\nusually enter the body through a skin wound. Through consuming tainted meat or\ninhaling the spores, you can have become sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signs and\nsymptoms depending on how infected you are can range from skin sores to\nvomiting to shock. Prompt antibiotic treatment will cure most infections\nanthrax. It is more difficult to treat inhaled anthrax, and can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\r\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\r\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\r\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\r\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Symptoms\" title=\"Symptoms\">Symptoms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Causes\" title=\"Causes\">Causes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Risk_factors\" title=\"Risk factors\">Risk factors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Complications\" title=\"Complications\">Complications<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Prevention\" title=\"Prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Anthrax_vaccine\" title=\"Anthrax vaccine\">Anthrax vaccine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/anthrax-symptoms-causes-risk-factor-and-prevention\/#Avoiding_infected_animals\" title=\"Avoiding infected animals\">Avoiding infected animals<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Symptoms\"><\/span><strong>Symptoms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are\nfour common anthrax infection routes, each with distinct signs and symptoms.\nSymptoms typically grow within seven days of bacterial exposure. The only\nexception is anthrax inhalation. It may take weeks before symptoms develop\nafter exposure to inhalation anthrax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cutaneous Anthra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An infection\ncutaneous anthrax reaches the body through a cut or other sore on your skin. It\nis the disease&#8217;s most popular path, by far. It&#8217;s also the mildest \u00e2\u20ac\u201d cutaneous\nanthrax is rarely lethal with adequate care. Cutaneous Anthrax signs and\nsymptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A raised, itchy bump resembling an insect bite which quickly\ndevelops into a painless sore with a black center<\/li><li>Swelling in the sore and surrounding lymph glands<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gastrointestinal anthrax<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This form of\nanthrax infection starts from an infected animal consuming undercooked meat.\nSymptoms and signs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Nausea<\/li><li>Vomiting<\/li><li>Abdominal pain<\/li><li>Headache<\/li><li>Loss of appetite<\/li><li>Fever<\/li><li>Sore throat and difficulty swallowing<\/li><li>Swollen neck<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inhalation (Pulmonary) Anthrax<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\nbreathe in anthrax spores inhalation anthrax evolves. It is the most dangerous\nway to contract the disease even it is mostly fatal even with treatment. Early\nsymptoms and signs of anthrax inhalation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Flu-like symptoms, like sore throat, fever, fatigue and muscle\naches, which can last a few hours or days<\/li><li>Mild chest discomfort<\/li><li>Shortness of breath<\/li><li>Nausea<\/li><li>Coughing up blood<\/li><li>Painful swallowing<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As the\ndisease progresses, you may experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>High fever<\/li><li>Trouble breathing<\/li><li>Shock<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Injection Anthrax<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the\nmost recent path of anthrax infection has been found. It is contracted by\ninjecting illicit drugs, and has so far only been recorded in Europe. Initial\nsigns and symptoms of anthrax by injection include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Redness at the area of injection <\/li><li>Significant swelling<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As the\ndisease progresses, you may experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Shock<\/li><li>Multiple organ failure<\/li><li>Meningitis<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When to see a doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many common\nillnesses start with symptoms that resemble the flu. The chances of getting\nyour sore throat and aching muscles are extremely low due to anthrax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\nthink you might have been exposed \u00e2\u20ac\u201d for instance, when you work in an area\nwhere anthrax is likely to occur \u00e2\u20ac\u201d see your doctor for assessment and treatment\nimmediately. In parts of the world where anthrax is common, seek prompt medical\nattention if you develop signs and symptoms of the disorder following exposure\nto animals or animal products. Early diagnosis and care are vitally necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causes\"><\/span>Causes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Anthrax\nspores are produced by anthrax bacteria in most parts of the world which occur\nnaturally in soil. For years the spores can stay dormant until they find their\nway into a host. Common anthrax hosts include wild or domestic animals, including\nsheep, cattle, horses, and goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though\nuncommon in the U.S., anthrax is still popular in the developing world, for\nexample in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan and sub-Saharan Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most human\nanthrax cases arise as a result of being exposed to contaminated animals or\ntheir meat or hides. A few people have produced anthrax in the United States,\nwhen creating traditional African drums from the skins of contaminated animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the\nonly known cases of non-animal transmission occurred in the United States in\n2001 when, after being exposed to spores sent via the mail, 22 people developed\nanthrax. Five of those infected starved to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More\nrecently in Europe, heroin users contracted anthrax by consuming illicit drugs.\nEighteen men had died of anthrax injection. Heroin sold in Europe typically\noriginates in places where anthrax occurs naturally more commonly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Risk_factors\"><\/span>Risk factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You must get\nin close touch with anthrax spores to contract anthrax. This is more likely if\nyou:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Are in the military and deployed to an region with a high risk of\nanthrax exposure<\/li><li>Work with anthrax in a laboratory setting<\/li><li>Handle animal hides, furs or wool from areas with high anthrax\nincidence<\/li><li>Work in veterinary medicine, especially if you deal with livestock<\/li><li>Inject illegal drugs, such as heroin<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Complications\"><\/span>Complications<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The most\ndangerous complication of anthrax is membrane and fluid inflammation which\ncovers the brain and spinal cord, resulting in severe bleeding (hemorrhagic\nmeningitis) and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prevention\"><\/span>Prevention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antibiotics\nare recommended for those exposed to the spores to avoid infection.\nCiprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others), and\nlevofloxacin (Levaquin) are approved for post-exposure anthrax prevention in\nadults and children by the Food and Drug Administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Anthrax_vaccine\"><\/span>Anthrax vaccine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An anthrax\nvaccine for humans is available. The vaccine does not contain live bacteria and\ncannot contribute to infection, but it does cause side effects, ranging from\ninjection site soreness to more serious allergic reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The vaccine\nisn&#8217;t intended for the general public. Instead of this, it is reserved for\nmilitary personnel, anthrax-worked scientists and people in other high-risk\noccupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoiding_infected_animals\"><\/span>Avoiding infected animals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\nlive or travel in a country where anthrax is widespread and herd animals are\nnot properly vaccinated, avoid contact as much as possible with the animal and\nanimal skins. Also stop consuming meat which has not been cooked properly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview: Anthrax is a rare, but severe illness caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium. Anthrax mainly affects wild game and livestock. Human beings can become infected through direct or indirect contact with diseased animals. There is no proof that anthrax is spread from person to person, but lesions of the anthrax skin can likely [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1537,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthcare"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kayawell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}