Inhalation anthrax

Causes and Risks:
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and is a disease of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and swine. Human infection is rare, but it is an occupational disease of farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. The disease has a skin form ( cutaneous anthrax ) and a pulmonary (lung) form.

In the pulmonary form, infection is spread by breathing in spores that germinate and cause pneumonia . The pneumonia develops rapidly and leads to progressive respiratory distress. Death can result in less than 48 hours from this type of infection. Meningitis can also develop. The incidence of inhalation anthrax is very rare.

Prevention:
Vaccination is available for people who work around animals.

Symptoms:



Signs and Tests:



Treatment:
The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infection with antibiotic therapy. Penicillin is the usual medication.

Prognosis:
The death rate is high despite proper therapy, especially in the pulmonary form of this disease.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms develop following exposure to farm animals.