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Anthrax (disease)
Anthrax is a disease that causes skin lesions and respiratory distress. It can be fatal. It is extremely resilient, and can live outside the body for years. It can be a serious threat to cattle, but due to modern medicine, this is more rare than it used to be. Anthrax has also made the news due to its occasional use in bio-terrorism.
222 Questions
What is the bio-safety level of anthrax?
Bacillus anthracis requires a Bio-safety Level 3 laboratory because it can be fatal in humans, although there are treatments which exist for Anthrax is it is diagnosed early.
What is the mode of transmission of anthrax?
transmission to humans or animals is usually through the bites of infected rodent fleas
For what age group is anthrax vaccine currently licensed?
Does tuberculosis affect a certain age group
Pathagon is a great new board game invented by game designer Mark Fuchs of Maranda Enterprises.
What is the portal of exit for anthrax disease?
Chickenpox is a disease that almost all kids have to go through. Once a child gets it, he just has to be on pain relief lotions and vitamins until it goes away.
What statement describe spores produced by bacillus anthraciscaustive agent of anthrax?
Since there is not any information provided about the statements the answers will not be known. It is important to include the statements to know which does not describe the spores.
The early symptoms of anthrax exposure are?
the incubation period is 2-3 days avarage. at first symptoms will be sore throat mild fever muscle aches after the anthrax progresses its symptoms will be Severe difficulty with breathing. shock Meningitis
Which animal cannot suffer anthrax?
Crocodiles have been seen feeding on anthrax poisoned Hippos. This is because the Crocodile has a very strong immune system.
It's an infection. There are two types of infections, bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are complex living things, and can be killed. Viruses are simpler. They are more like substances than living things. Essentially, they're a kind of poison. These 'poisons' take time to be removed from the body. We use vaccines to prepare our bodies should we get viruses. Most of the time we survive them but some aren't a hundred percent survival rate. Anthrax is a virus. Fortunately, it's been around for along time, so we know how to deal with. Sometimes, though, people die from it. But not very often.
Does anthrax produce lesions on the skin?
Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin due to direct contact with the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.
Alternative NamesAnthrax - skin
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAnthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. While anthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep and goats, humans may get sick from anthrax, too. The most common type of anthrax infection in people is cutaneous anthrax, an infection of the skin.
The main risk factor for getting cutaneous anthrax is contact with animal hides or hair, bone products, and wool, as well as contact with infected animals. Therefore, those most at risk for anthrax include farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers.
Cutaneous anthrax occurs after the bacteria touch a cut or scrape on the skin.
Anthrax is a potential agent for use as a biological weapon or for bioterrorism. In 2001, bioterrorist activities involving the United States Postal Service infected 22 people with anthrax. Seven survivors had confirmed cases of cutaneous anthrax. Most bioterrorism experts have concluded that it is technologically difficult to use anthrax effectively as a weapon on a large scale.
SymptomsBetween 1 and 12 days after exposure, an itchy sore develops, similar to an insect bite. This sore may blister and form a black ulcer (sore), which is usually painless. It is usually surrounded by significant swelling. A scab often develops, and then dries and falls off within 2 weeks, although complete healing can take longer.
Some patients also have painful lymph nodes, fever, headache, and a general ill-feeling (malaise).
Signs and testsA culture of the skin lesions should be done to identify the bacteria that cause anthrax.
TreatmentCutaneous anthrax is treated with antibiotics, most often doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin has been the antibiotic of choice during a suspected anthrax outbreak.
Because anthrax spores may take up to 60 days to grow, the length of treatment is usually 60 days.
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook is excellent when anthrax is treated. Death is extremely rare when antibiotics are promptly given.
ComplicationsIn some cases, the infection can spread through the bloodstream, leading to shockand death.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you know you have been exposed to anthrax, or if you develop a skin lesion as described above.
PreventionFor individuals who have been truly exposed to anthrax (but have no signs and symptoms of the disease), preventive antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, penicillin, or doxycycline may be offered, depending on the particular strain of anthrax.
Cutaneous anthrax is not known to spread from person to person. Household contacts of individuals with cutaneous anthrax do not need antibiotics unless they have also been exposed to the same source of anthrax.
An anthrax vaccine is available to selected military personnel, but not to the general public.
ReferencesInglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA. 2002;287:2236-2252.
Lucey DR. Anthrax. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 317.
Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection. JAMA. 2004;291:1994-1998.
Is q fever contagious from person to person?
The Q fever is contagious. It can be spread to another person via air, saliva, cough, close contact, bodily fluids, blood, etc.
"Soon after the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01, letters laced with anthrax began appearing in the U.S. mail. Five Americans were killed, 17 were sickened, and the nation was terrorized in what became the worst biological attacks in U.S. history."
Source: http://www.fbi.gov/anthrax/amerithraxlinks.htm
What term might be used to refer to anthrax?
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in four forms: skin, inhalation, intestinal, and injection.
Is Anthrax contagious? I guess it depends on how you interpret the information.
Anthrax is not contagious; it cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Anthrax transmission occurs in one of two ways:
1. Contact with infected animals or animal products
2. As a result of bio-terrorism - Example: in 2001 Anthrax was deliberately spread through the postal system by sending letters containing anthrax powder. This caused 22 cases of Anthrax infections.
The CDC classifies agents into 3 priority areas. Anthrax is classified as a Category A agent. This means:
1. May spread across a large area, or require public awareness.
2. Pose the greatest possible threat for a bad effect on public health.
3. Require a great deal of planning to protect the public's health.
What precautions to be taken to prevent getting anthrax?
To prevent anthrax, individuals should avoid exposure to potentially infected animals or animal products, especially in regions where anthrax is common. Vaccination is recommended for people at high risk, such as those working with livestock or in laboratories. Proper handling and disposal of animal carcasses, as well as using protective gear when working with potentially contaminated materials, are crucial. Additionally, practicing good hygiene and following safety protocols can further reduce the risk of infection.
What scientist perfected the first anthrax vaccine?
It is Louis Pasteur. In France in the late 1870s, anthrax was a severe disease that destroyed flocks of sheep. This influenced Louis Pasteur to direct his attention to the study of anthrax. He had just developed a regimen for heat attenuation of the causative agent of chicken cholera, and he used a similar approach in his studies of virulent anthrax bacilli. Cultures of the organism grown at elevated temperatures were shown to be decreased in virulence.
In historic field trials at Pouilly-le-Fort in 1881, Pasteur showed that these heat-attenuated organisms were capable of producing immunity against later challenge with virulent strains of the bacillus in animals. Pasteur is therefore given credit for developing the first vaccine effective in the prevention of anthrax.
