10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT ANTHRAX
WHAT DOES ANTHRAX LOOK LIKE?
All the material that has tested positive so far has been a brownish, grainy substance. Experts say this means it is likely a crude preparation. A more sophisticated lab could put it into a very fine white powder.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANTHRAX DISEASE?
More than 95 percent of cases are cutaneous or skin infection. If bacterial spores get into the lungs, they can cause the much rarer but much more deadly inhalation disease.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SKIN EXPOSURE TO ANTHRAX?
It begins with a swollen area on the skin — similar to a large insect bite. As we mentioned earlier, it swells more over several days and eventually a black scab forms in the center. Patients often have fever and a headache.
HOW DO I KNOW TO SUSPECT ANTHRAX?
There is very little reason to suspect you’ve been exposed unless there has been a specific incident where you live or work. That is why the public health system has to be on alert for a possible attack.
HOW CLOSE TO ANTHRAX SPORES DO I HAVE TO BE TO BECOME INFECTED?
Anthrax has to be inhaled in the lungs or pass through a cut in the skin to cause disease — simply touching them will not make you sick.
HOW LONG IS THE TIME FROM EXPOSURE TO INFECTION?
Anthrax symptoms usually appear in one to six days.
CAN ANTHRAX BE TRANSMITTED FROM PERSON TO PERSON?
No. Anthrax is not a contagious disease. You cannot get it from someone else and you can’t give it someone else if you have it.
CAN I GET ANTHRAX FROM EATING OR DRINKING?
Only very rarely. Only when people eat meat from anthrax-infected animals. Otherwise it is not a threat in water or food.
IF I SOMEHOW CONTRACT ANTHRAX CAN IT BE TREATED?
Yes, if anthrax is treated in the first few days for the inhalation form — or the first weeks for the skin form — it is almost always curable.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?
We’ve heard a lot about the antibiotic Cipro. But it’s important to reiterate that many common antibiotics including penicillin and tetracycline are effective against anthrax.
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