☣️ Anthrax
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It forms spores that can survive in the environment for decades and infect humans or animals, primarily through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
🧬 Types of Anthrax & Transmission:
- Cutaneous Anthrax (most common):
- Entry through cuts or abrasions on the skin
- Contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products (wool, hides)
- Inhalation Anthrax (most deadly):
- Breathing in spores (e.g., in contaminated air, bioterror attacks)
- Rapid and severe respiratory symptoms
- Gastrointestinal Anthrax:
- Eating undercooked meat from infected animals
- Affects digestive tract
- Injection Anthrax (rare):
- From injecting illegal drugs contaminated with spores
🩺 Symptoms:
Cutaneous:
- Itchy bump → painless black-centered sore (eschar)
- Swelling, redness, fever
Inhalation:
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, chest pain)
- Rapid progression to severe breathing problems, shock
Gastrointestinal:
- Nausea, vomiting (sometimes with blood)
- Severe abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea
Injection:
- Swelling at injection site
- Shock, multiple organ failure (can resemble necrotizing fasciitis)
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Culture from blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions
- PCR and antibody testing
- Imaging (X-ray or CT chest for inhalation anthrax)
💊 Treatment:
- High-dose intravenous antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline)
- Antitoxin therapy for advanced cases (e.g., raxibacumab, obiltoxaximab)
- Early treatment is essential for survival
- Post-exposure prophylaxis: 60-day course of antibiotics and anthrax vaccine
⚠️ Complications:
- Rapid progression, especially in inhalation and injection forms
- Septic shock, meningitis
- High fatality rate if untreated
🛡️ Prevention:
- Vaccination for high-risk individuals (military, lab workers, animal handlers)
- Avoid contact with potentially infected animals/products
- Strict safety protocols in labs and during outbreaks
- Prompt treatment after suspected exposure