It also occurs more regularly in Southern Europe than elsewhere on the continent and is uncommon in Northern Europe and North America. Ī rare disease, human anthrax is most common in Africa and central and southern Asia. Antitoxin is recommended for those with widespread infection. The type and number of antibiotics used depend on the type of infection. If infection occurs, treatment is with antibiotics and possibly antitoxin. A two-month course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and doxycycline after exposure can also prevent infection. Immunizing animals against anthrax is recommended in areas where previous infections have occurred. Īnthrax vaccination is recommended for people at high risk of infection. Diagnosis can be confirmed by finding antibodies or the toxin in the blood or by culture of a sample from the infected site. Risk factors include people who work with animals or animal products, travelers and military personnel. It does not typically spread directly between people. Contact is by breathing or eating or through an area of broken skin. The Prussian scientist Robert Koch (1843–1910) was the first to identify Bacillus anthracis as the bacterium that causes anthrax.Īnthrax is spread by contact with the bacterium's spores, which often appear in infectious animal products. Before that anthrax had been described only through historical accounts. Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control the first clinical descriptions of cutaneous anthrax were given by Maret in 1752 and Fournier in 1769. The injection form presents with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection. The intestinal form presents with diarrhea (which may contain blood), abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting. The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain and shortness of breath.
Usp s road rash skin#
The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. Symptom onset occurs between one day and more than two months after the infection is contracted. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal and injection. Working with animals, travelers, postal workers, military personnel īased on antibodies or toxin in the blood, microbial culture Īnthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Intestinal form: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain Inhalational form: fever, chest pain, shortness of breath Skin form: small blister with surrounding swelling A skin lesion with black eschar characteristic of anthrax