Anthrax

Overview

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It happens naturally in soil and mainly affects animals like cows, sheep, and goats. People can get anthrax when they come into contact with infected animals or animal products, such as wool, hides, or meat. It is not spread from person to person like a cold or flu.

No. Anthrax is uncommon in developed countries and in most communities. It mainly affects people who work closely with animals or animal products.

Anthrax can affect anyone, but it is most often seen in farmers, veterinarians, livestock handlers, wool sorters, and workers in tanneries or slaughterhouses. It may also affect travelers who visit areas where animal vaccination is not routine.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A raised, itchy bump on the skin that turns into a painless sore with a black center (skin anthrax)
• Fever and chills
• Cough, sore throat, and mild chest discomfort
• Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, or diarrhea (especially with digestive anthrax)
• Headache and body aches

Symptoms in children

• Children can have the same symptoms as adults, but they may become dehydrated more quickly if they have vomiting or diarrhea.
• A child with anthrax may seem extra tired, fussy, or less hungry.
• Any skin sore with a black center in a child should be seen by a doctor right away.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may have more severe symptoms, such as high fever, confusion, or trouble breathing.
• They are more likely to need hospital care, especially if they have other health conditions like heart or lung disease.
• A cough or fever that does not improve should not be ignored.

Causes

Main causes

• Infection with the bacteria Bacillus anthracis
• Getting the bacteria into the body through a break in the skin (skin anthrax)
• Breathing in infectious spores (lung anthrax)
• Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal (digestive anthrax)

Risk factors

• Working with animals that may carry anthrax, such as cattle, sheep, or goats
• Handling animal hides, wool, hair, or bone meal
• Working in a laboratory that studies anthrax bacteria
• Traveling to areas where anthrax is more common and animal vaccines are not widely used

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have symptoms like a fever with cough, chest pain, or trouble breathing and you may have been exposed to animals or animal products
• If you have a skin sore that is turning black, even if it is painless
• If you have been in contact with anthrax spores and have any new symptoms

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have a mild skin infection that is not healing well
• If you are worried about possible exposure and want to talk through your risk
• If you are a worker in an at-risk job and need advice about protection and vaccines

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about your symptoms, your job, any contact with animals or animal products, and recent travel. They will also examine you. If anthrax is suspected, the doctor will order tests to confirm the infection.

Tests that may be done

• A swab of fluid from a skin sore
• Blood tests to look for the bacteria or your body's response
• A chest X-ray or CT scan if you have breathing symptoms
• A stool sample if you have digestive symptoms

What to expect at your appointment

If a doctor suspects anthrax, treatment usually starts right away, even before test results come back. You may need to give a detailed history and provide samples. Test results can take a few days. In the meantime, the doctor will explain the next steps clearly.

Treatment

Treatment for anthrax works best when it begins early. The type of treatment depends on how the infection got into your body and how severe it is. Skin anthrax is often treated with antibiotic medicines, while lung or digestive anthrax may require hospital care and more intensive support.

Self-care at home

• If you have a skin sore, keep it covered and do not scratch or pop it.
• Take all prescribed medicines exactly as directed, even if you start to feel better.
• Drink plenty of fluids and rest to help your body recover.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after touching the affected area.

Medical treatments

Doctors use antibiotic medicines to kill the bacteria. In more serious cases, they may also give medicines that block the harmful toxins the bacteria produce. Hospital care may include oxygen, fluids through a needle in the vein, and other supportive treatments. The medical team will choose the right treatment based on your individual situation.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for anthrax. In very rare cases, a doctor may need to remove dead tissue from a severe skin sore, but this is not common.

Living with this condition

During treatment, you will need to take it easy and follow your healthcare team's advice. If your case is mild, you may recover at home. For more serious types, you may need to stay in the hospital. Full recovery can take several weeks, and rest is important.

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid close contact with animals or animal products while you are sick.
• Wear gloves and protective clothing if your job puts you at risk.
• Make sure any animal products you handle come from safe, inspected sources.
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and protein helps your body heal. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Gentle activities like short walks are fine once you feel up to it, but avoid heavy exercise until your doctor says it is okay.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Getting a rare infection like anthrax can be frightening. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed, or worried about your health. Talk to your doctor about these feelings. If you feel sad or overwhelmed, ask for a referral to a counselor or support group.

Prevention

Yes, anthrax can be prevented. In many countries, livestock are vaccinated, which keeps the disease out of animal herds. For people with high-risk jobs, protective clothing and safe handling practices greatly reduce the chance of infection.

Vaccines

There is a vaccine against anthrax, but it is only recommended for people at high risk, such as some military personnel, laboratory workers, and livestock handlers. It is not given to the general public.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for anthrax in the general public. Testing is only done when a person has symptoms or has had a known exposure.

Complications

If left untreated

• The infection can spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis, a serious whole-body reaction.
• It may cause meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain, which is very dangerous.
• Breathing problems can become severe and lead to respiratory failure.
• Digestive anthrax can cause severe bleeding and damage to the intestines.

Long-term outlook

With early treatment, most people with skin anthrax recover completely. Lung and digestive anthrax are more serious, but even these can be cured with prompt and intensive hospital care. The key is to seek medical help right away if you think you might have been exposed or if you develop symptoms.

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