Anthrax

1
Anthrax
2
Anthrax

• Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium
  bacillus anthracis. It is a rare but serious
  illness that may occur in mainly livestock and
  wild game. Humans can become infected if they
  come in contact with a sick animal.While there
  is no proof that anthrax can spread from person
  to person, skin lesions caused as a result of
  anthrax may be highly contagious.Anthrax
  bacteria usually enter the body through a wound
  on the skin, but consumption of contaminated meat
  can also be a cause of infection.

3
Risk Factors related to Anthrax

• You may be at high risk of contracting anthrax
  if you
• Work with anthrax in a laboratory setting
• Are in the military and deployed in areas with a
  high risk of anthrax
• Handle animal skins in areas that are a high risk
  of anthrax
• Work as a veterinarian
• Inject drugs such as heroin
• Handle or dress game animals

4
Diagnosis of Anthrax

• After having ruled out any other possible
  conditions for the aforementioned symptoms, your
  doctor will recommend the following tests to
  confirm anthraxBlood test
• Skin testing
• Chest X-Ray or Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
• Stool testing

5
Symptoms of Anthrax

• Anthrax can enter the body through 4 main
  passages and each of these has different
  symptoms.Cutaneous AnthraxThis kind of
  anthrax enters the body through a cut or a sore
  on the skin. Its symptoms include
• A grown up itchy bump resembling an insect bite
  which later turns into a painless sore with a
  black centre
• Swelling of lymph glands

6
Symptoms of Anthrax
Continue

• Gastrointestinal AnthraxThis infection can be
  caused by eating undercooked or contaminated meat
  from an infected animal. Its symptoms include
• Headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Severe, bloody diarrhea
• Swollen neck
• Sore throat

7
Symptoms of Anthrax
Continue

• Inhalation (Pulmonary) AnthraxThis infection
  may occur when you inhale anthrax spores. Its
  symptoms include
• Shortness of breath
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Mild chest discomfort
• Painful swallowing
• Coughing up blood
• High fever
• Shock
• Meningitis

8
Symptoms of Anthrax
Continue

• Injection AnthraxThis infection can be spread
  through injecting illegal drugs. Symptoms for
  this may include
• Significant swelling
• Redness in the injected area
• Meningitis
• Shock
• Multiple organ failure

9
Treatment of Anthrax

• Prevention of anthrax, if the source of the
  infection is known, will include a course of
  antibiotics to be taken orally such as
  Ciprofloxacin or Doxycycline.When anthrax
  spores get inside the body, they can be
  "activated." When they become active, anthrax
  bacteria can multiply, spread out in the body,
  and produces toxinsor poisons. The anthrax
  toxins present in the body can cause severe
  illness. One possible treatment is antitoxin
  after anthrax toxins have been released in the
  body.Patients with serious cases of anthrax
  will need to be hospitalized. They may require
  aggressive treatment, such as continuous fluid
  drainage and help breathing through mechanical
  ventilation.

10
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on Facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//www.twitter.com/lazoithelife
• Follow us on Pinterest
• https//www.in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife