SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX POISONING
Anthrax poisoning is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Bacillus anthracis forms spores which are able to survive harsh conditions for extended periods of time. Anthrax is routinely know to cause acute infections and death in wild and domestic animals such as sheep, goats, antelopes, and other lower vertebrae herbivores. Anthrax is readily found in the soil of South and Central Americas, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Human exposure to anthrax is commonly through the handling of dead animal carcasses or products created from animals that were infected with Anthrax and recently through intentional contamination. Anthrax has a great potential to be used as a biological weapon of mass destruction because of the spore's ability to withstand harsh conditions and remain on infected surfaces and in soil for years. As precaution anthrax vaccines are routinely given to the U.S. military personnel, which are shown to be 93% affective at preventing anthrax infections upon exposure.
There are three types of anthrax infections, cutaneous, inhalation, and gastrointestinal. The symptoms of anthrax vary depending upon the route of poisoning can include a fever, night sweats, flue-like symptoms, non-productive cough, sore through, enlarged lymph node, headache, abdominal distress or raised bumps and sores on the arms hands or face that develop into ulcers with black centers.Cutaneous anthrax poisoning is the most common form of anthrax infection occurring when anthrax enters though breaks in a person's skin and early infections resemble raised itchy bumps that resemble insect bites. Within two days of infection a vesicle appears that then turns in ulcers routinely measuring 1-3cm in diameter with black necrotic centers. The lymph gland around the area will swell. If left untreated cutaneous anthrax can result in death. Inhalation poisoning of anthrax have symptoms commonly mistaken for the common cold to include, sore throat, fever, and muscle aches. These symptoms if untreated progress to breathing difficulties and shock. Inhalation anthrax is considered fatal. Gastrointestinal anthrax poisoning can result from the ingestion of contaminated animals or animal byproducts causing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fever, loss of appetite, severe diarrhea. Gastrointestinal infections are fatal about half of the time.
Anthrax is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person; preventative measures should be taken by those in areas where anthrax is common. Precautionary measure include not consuming meat that is improperly slaughtered or prepared avoid contact with livestock and get vaccinated if possible. Anthrax poisoning is routinely misdiagnosed because of its flu-like symptoms; care must be taken to recognize the distinguishing symptoms. The flu and common colds are frequently accompanied with stuffy or runny noses, which is completely absent with anthrax poisoning.