Related concepts:

Cutaneous anthrax, Inhalation anthrax, Gastrointestinal anthrax

Introduction to anthrax:

Even in the best of times, being a parent can bring moments of fear. Our children are such treasures. When people intentionally want to frighten and kill us, I believe parents feel it more acutely than most.

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a bacterial infection, similar in many ways to diphtheria. It is not a virus like smallpox. Anthrax is to be treated or prevented with common antibiotics if the illness is caught in time.

The anthrax bacteria turn into spores if the conditions are not right for the bacteria to thrive and grow (i.e., there is no susceptible person or animal available). Anthrax spores can live for 40 years, and are difficult to destroy. These spores can infect people or animals.

Who gets anthrax?

Throughout history, sheep, goats, and cattle have eaten these spores. Humans have become infected either through close contact with infected animals or by eating inadequately cooked meat from infected animals. Inhaling spores was rare.

The legendary chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur (for whom “pasteurization” was named) developed an effective anthrax vaccine. At the time, anthrax was devastating the sheep industry and the economy of France. Pasteur unveiled his vaccine to the world in a highly publicized demonstration at Pouilly-le-Fort, in May 1881. It was dramatically effective.

Today, the biggest anthrax threat comes when people intentionally try to infect others. Anthrax is selected as a bioweapon because it is easy to obtain and because the inhaled form is highly lethal if untreated.

Between 8,000 and 40,000 spores are the minimum needed to cause an infection in a healthy person.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

How the spores enter the body determines the form (and thus severity) of clinical anthrax. Spores entering through broken skin cause cutaneous anthrax, those that are eaten cause gastrointestinal anthrax, and those that are inhaled cause inhalation anthrax. The size of the spore might make it easier or harder to store, spread, or inhale – but it is all the same anthrax.

Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin. The disease occurs after the bacteria come in contact with skin cuts or abrasions. Usually within two weeks, an itchy spot develops (similar to an insect bite). This may later blister and then break down, resulting in a black ulcer (often painless, but surrounded by swelling). Sometimes painful lymph nodes develop. A scab is often formed which then dries and falls off within two weeks. In 20 percent of untreated individuals, the infection may spread through the bloodstream and become fatal. However, in most individuals who receive appropriate treatment, death from cutaneous anthrax is extremely rare.

Inhalation anthrax develops when anthrax spores enter the lungs. A person may have spores in the nasal passages (which indicates exposure). After exposure, it takes anywhere from one to 60 days for the spores to germinate and begin to cause disease.