Anthrax: what is this, the cause of the, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Description anthrax

Anthrax is an infectious disease, and can be life-threatening. The disease usually occurs in hoofed animals, such as cattle and goats. People can get anthrax from infected animals or anthrax spores. The bacteria produce spores, that can survive in the environment for decades.

There are three forms of human anthrax, whichever, the spores enter the body:

• Легочная – при вдыхании воздуха, in which there are disputes (about 5% cases);
• Кожная – споры попадают в организм человека через порез или разрыв кожи (about 95% cases);
• Желудочная – от проглатывания спор, are raw or undercooked meat of infected animals (rarely).

Causes of Anthrax Infection

The cause of anthrax bacteria are Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax occurs after exposure to:

• Infected animals;
• Contaminated food of animal origin;
• Disputes.

Once ingested spores germinate. It means, that they become active bacteria. They multiply and begin to produce toxins. This leads to tumor, bleeding, and tissue death. All forms of anthrax can cause death. The cutaneous form is fatal in 10% -20% untreated cases. Легочная форма сибирской язвы – крайне опасна. Death can occur within a few days.

Risk factors for anthrax infection

Risk factors for anthrax include the following:

• Working in a laboratory with Bacillus anthracis;
• Contact anthrax animals or their products (eg, on the farm, tannery, veterinary clinic);
• Criminal acts or biological terrorism.

Symptoms of anthrax

Symptoms usually appear within a few days after exposure. They vary depending on the type of disease.

Symptoms of pulmonary anthrax appear in stages over several days and include:

• The symptoms of a cold or flu:
  • Cough;
  • Fatigue;
  • Weakness;
  • Fever;
  • Chills;
  • Headache;
  • Muscle aches;
• Sometimes there comes a short period of apparent recovery, and then there is:
  • Severe respiratory failure;
  • Chest pain;
  • Sweating;
  • Shock;
  • Delirium (delirium);
  • Death.

Symptoms of cutaneous anthrax occur in several phases:

• It appears bump, like an insect bite, Round and itching;
• Raised area opens, forming an ulcer with a black area in the center and vydelyayuschuya clear or pinkish fluid;
• There is swelling around the wound;
• There are swollen, painful lymph nodes.

Gastrointestinal lesions can cause the following symptoms:

• Lesions of the mouth and throat:
  • Ulcers in the oral cavity or esophagus;
  • Swelling of the throat;
  • Hyperadenosis;
  • Sore throat;
• Intestinal lesions:
  • Nausea;
  • Vomiting;
  • Fever;
  • Abdominal pain;
  • Bloody diarrhea.

Diagnosis of anthrax

The doctor asks about the symptoms and medical history, and performs a physical exam and try to identify the source of zarazhaneya. Tests may include the following:

• Chest X-ray to look for inhalational anthrax;
• Samples were taken from the wounds, mucosas, and body fluids for testing for the presence of bacteria;
• Running a blood test to detect antibodies to anthrax.

Treatment of anthrax

It is important to start as soon as possible antibiotics. Any delay greatly increases the risk of death in cases of inhalation anthrax. Medications administered intravenously begin. Followed by oral antibiotics. Maybe, will have to take antibiotics for weeks. Skin lesions are thoroughly removed and bandaged.

Taking medication for anthrax

The following may be prescribed drugs:

• Ciprofloxacin;
• Penicillin;
• Doxycycline.

Measures to identify sources of anthrax

Finding Sources of anthrax is very important. Health workers check the place, where the patient lives and works. Contaminated surfaces should be disinfected. Other people, who had contact with the victim, You should also be checked. They can be assigned to antibiotics.

Prevention of anthrax

Time and place of getting anthrax organism can sometimes be difficult to identify. Anthrax is colorless and odorless and tasteless. It should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect the presence of anthrax. Antibiotics may be able to prevent infection after exposure to it. There is a vaccine for the prevention of anthrax. This requires multiple injections, but they are only partially effective. The vaccine is not recommended for use in large quantities to the general public. She regularly entered a military.

Methods, to prevent exposure to anthrax recommend:

• Avoid contact with infected animals or animal products;
• Do not touch liquids, oozing out of an anthrax wound;
• If anthrax is suspected, call the epidemiological and sanitary service workers.