Anthrax - Symptoms, Types and Treatments

Anthrax is a condition that can affect both humans and animals and is spread by bacillus anthracis. While the condition has varying degrees of intensity, most forms could prove to be fatal. Some animals such as pigs, dogs and cats are more resistant to the condition tan compared to other herbivores such as sheep, goat and horses. The condition in humans, though, is extremely rare and as little as about 5 cases reported in the United States of America since 1990. Since the organism bacillus anthracis is commonly found in the hooves of animals, the condition is known to be more prevalent in developing nations around continents such as Asia, Africa and South America. The fact that the symptoms that appear when affected by this condition are rather subtle and are very often confused with some other, less serious medical problems.

Types of Anthrax

Experts categorize the condition in three types depending on the levels of severity as well as symptoms caused. The first and least serious type of the condition is known as cutaneous anthrax and will produce skin lesions that can be very painful. Leaving the condition untreated, however, can escalate into a more serious problem and cause blood poisoning – which could be fatal in about one in every 20 cases. The second type of anthrax infection is cause primarily by the consumption of contaminated meat and will produce symptoms very similar to food poisoning. This type of condition is known to be fatal in some cases. The third type of the condition affects the respiratory tract and gains access to the body via breathing in some of the spores in the air. The symptoms will often to be very similar to a simple flu but, if the condition is not treated, the patient could even go into shock in a couple of weeks after the respiratory problems escalate to more severe degrees. Most cases of respiratory anthrax will have a fatal outcome.

Treatment For Anthrax

The main focus of treatment when a person is diagnosed with most anthrax conditions is to administer the medication as soon as possible. In cases where the person is affected by intestinal or respiratory infections, the chances of cure are significantly reduced if too much time has elapsed before the medication is administered. The potency of anthrax as a fatal infection has seen it become a very popular bio terrorist weapon – especially given the fact that it is not easily visible to the naked eye.