ANTHRAX
WHAT IS ANTHRAX?
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacteria. It is found naturally in soil and can affect domestic and wild animals around the world.
People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
While anthrax can cause severe illness, it is not contagious, so you can’t catch it from another person like the cold or flu.
Prevention
Anthrax exposure is very uncommon, and most people will never be exposed to it. It’s still important to know the risks. You are at higher risk of exposure if you:
Handle Animal Products
Many people in the Texas Panhandle work in jobs that expose them to animals and animal byproducts, including livestock producers, ranchers, veterinarians, and processing handlers. If you have contact with an infected animal or its wool, hair or hide, you could potentially be exposed to anthrax. This is rare, but possible.
Travel to Certain Areas
Anthrax is most commonly found in agricultural regions of Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and southwestern Asia, Southern and eastern Europe, and the Caribbean. It can occur naturally in the soil and affect domestic and wild animals. If you are traveling, especially in these areas, do not eat raw or undercooked meat and avoid handling livestock, animal products and animal carcasses.
Work in Certain Industries
Mail handlers, military personnel and emergency workers could be exposed during a bioterrorism attack. This could occur by contact with spores in packages or mailings or airborne spores sprayed in the air.
If you work in a laboratory that handles anthrax, you could also be exposed if proper handling procedures are not followed.
Symptoms
It may take 1 day to 2 months for symptoms of anthrax to occur. Anthrax, if untreated, can cause severe illness and death. If you have symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Cutaneous Anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin. Symptoms include:
Small blisters or bumps that may itch
A skin ulcer with a black center that is painless and may appear on the face, neck, arms, or hands
Swelling around the sore
Injection anthrax can have similar symptoms, but spreads much quicker and can be harder to treat. Infections related to drug use do not always mean a person has anthrax.
Inhalation Anthrax
Inhalation anthrax is an infection of the respiratory system from breathing anthrax spores. Symptoms include:
Fevers, chills and/or body aches
Shortness of breath, cough and/or chest pain
Extreme fatigue, confusion, and/or drenching sweats
Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
Gastrointestinal Anthrax
Gastrointestinal anthrax can occur from eating contaminated meat. Symptoms include:
Sore throat, painful swallowing, hoarseness
Fever, chills, headache
Nausea and vomiting, especially bloody vomiting
Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
Flushing (red face) and red eyes, fainting, swelling of neck/neck glands
Stomach pain and swelling
Treatment
If you think you have been exposed to anthrax or are having symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Antibiotics
Anthrax infection of all types can be treated with antibiotics. For the best effectiveness, it is crucial to get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Antitoxin
When anthrax spores enter the body and become active, they produce toxins, causing severe illness. Antitoxins are used in combination with other treatments to target and neutralize these toxins, with several types available for anthrax treatment.
Hospitalization
Hospitalization is essential for patients experiencing severe anthrax cases, as they may require intensive interventions like continuous fluid removal and mechanical ventilation support for breathing.
Bioterrorism Attack: Anthrax
Because anthrax is naturally occurring and can be released in a variety of simple methods, if a bioterrorism attack were to occur, anthrax is one of the most likely agents that could be used.
While the likelihood of such an attack is small, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family in the event of an attack.
Know the symptoms of anthrax infection
Know each family member’s medical history
Make a family preparedness plan