In the unlikely event that you do inhale spores, medical evaluation and treatment is needed. Navigation menu. How common is anthrax and who can get it? How is anthrax spread? Most persons who are exposed to anthrax become ill within one week but can take as long as 42 days for inhalation anthrax: Skin cutaneous - Most anthrax infections occur when people touch contaminated animal products like wool, bone, hair and hide.
The infection occurs when the bacteria enters a cut or scratch in the skin. Inhalation lung - Some anthrax infections occur when people breathe in the spores of the bacteria. Gastrointestinal - Some people may get anthrax by eating infected meat that has not been properly cooked. What are the symptoms of anthrax? Skin cutaneous - This is the most common form of anthrax.
Infection requires a break in the skin. The first symptoms include itching where the skin has been exposed. Then, a large boil or sore appears.
The sore becomes covered by a black scab. If not treated, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. Inhalation - Inhalation anthrax has been very rare in the U. First symptoms include fever, fatigue, malaise and a cough or chest pain.
High fever, rapid pulse and severe difficulty breathing follow in two to five days. Inhalation anthrax is often fatal. Gastrointestinal - This form occurs only after eating infected, undercooked meat. First symptoms include fever, severe abdominal pain, loose, watery bowel movements, bloody diarrhea and vomiting with blood.
In the United States, gastrointestinal anthrax has rarely been reported. This is because yearly vaccination of livestock is recommended in areas of the United States where animals have had anthrax in the past, and because of the examination of all food animals, which ensures that they are healthy at the time of slaughter. A newly discovered type of anthrax is injection anthrax.
This type of anthrax has been seen in northern Europe in people injecting heroin. So far, no cases of injection anthrax have been reported in the United States. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. How People Get Anthrax. Minus Related Pages. Always follow medical advice on how to take the antibiotics. Precisely follow the instructions and do not shorten the course of treatment. Should any side effects of the treatment be noted, please consult a physician at once.
Nobody should attempt to use antibiotics or any other drugs to treat or protect themselves without first getting medical advice. Anthrax vaccines for livestock and humans exist. Veterinary vaccines are used for control of anthrax in livestock. Human vaccines are in limited supply and used primarily for protection of selected individuals with possible occupational exposure to anthrax.
Preventing the disease in animals will protect human health. Breaking the cycle of infection is the basis for control of anthrax in livestock. If a potential infectious source is known to exist, this should be eliminated without delay. The best disposal method is incineration. The carcass should not be opened, since exposure to oxygen will allow the bacteria to form spores. Early detection of outbreaks, quarantine of affected premises, destruction of diseased animals and fomites, and implementation of appropriate sanitary procedures at abattoirs and dairy factories will ensure the safety of products of animal origin intended for human consumption.
Any animal that is sick, behaves strangely or has died suddenly should not be used for food or for making any product, as it may have succumbed to an infectious disease.
Make sure to follow national rules on veterinary inspection prior to slaughter as these measures ensure food safety as well as safety of persons involved in the slaughter. Anthrax: Questions and Answers. What is anthrax? Where is the disease found? How is the disease transmitted?
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