Anthrax: Definition, Characteristics, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination

Anthrax Definition

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacilus anthracis. These bacteria can produce spores - which has a protective sheath - which can last for decades in the soil or a suitable place.

Anthrax is a disease which is found in grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, goats or horses. Human infection usually occurs due to direct contact with infected animals or their products such as skin containing bacterial spores. When this is the case concerns the use of anthrax spores by te**orists to manufacture or use of biological wea*ons.

Anthrax limited in Asia, Africa and the Middle East where exposure to infected animals or their products are more likely to occur. In the UK, anthrax is rare and if there are usually caused by the skin, wool, fleece, or food imported infected cattle.

The spread of anthrax depends on exposure to the bacteria. Anthrax is not contagious, so is very unusual if it has spread from person to person.

Anthrax Characteristics

Anthrax bacteria can enter the body through the skin, through small cuts in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract (mucous membranes) or through the lungs. Incubation period, the time between exposure and development of disease organisms, usually ranging from 12 hours to five days, but on average three to five days.   

Skin

Transmission through the skin (cutaneous) occurred most frequently. At point of entry, such as skin abrasions or wounds, the bacteria undergo fission and produce toxic chemicals that cause changes in a typical network. At first raised itchy, then red-brown raised bumps are getting bigger and surrounded by tissue swelling caused by fluid. These lumps then ulcerated, leaving a black scab in the middle - this is where the name of this disease arises - anthrax comes from the Greek word for coal.

Local lymph nodes usually swell and patients usually come to feel fatigue, muscle aches, fever, vomiting and headache. 

Digestive System

Anthrax is rarely transmitted through the consumption of contaminated meat, especially if there is no injury to the mouth or gut. Spread of infection in the lymph nodes in the abdomen can cause severe illness or even fatal.

Lungs

Inhalation anthrax spores can be a very serious infection route. This is called pulmonary anthrax. Generally there are also other circumstances, such as the flu, which decreases lung and airway defense that anthrax bacteria can enter and thrive. In the mediastinal lymph nodes, the bacteria undergo multiplication and cause tissue damage which spread rapidly in other parts of the body. Early symptoms of pulmonary anthrax is very similar to the symptoms of 'flu', but in a few days later the symptoms changed and people have difficulty breathing and then can go into shock which is usually fatal.

Anthrax Diagnosis

Anthrax is a rare disease, and like other diseases, early diagnosis is a possibility. Only cutaneous anthrax are visible (rarely) due to direct contact with an infected person - there is never a pulmonary anthrax is transmitted from person to person. Therefore, a history of exposure to the patient is very important. For example, pulmonary anthrax is also called "wool sorters disease", which is associated with the risk of work that is now no longer in the UK, but is still found in some parts of the world.

Anthrax causes skin bumps with a typical picture. The lump is also growing rather slowly, and the affected person is usually not seriously ill. In some circumstances the diagnosis is usually suspected diagnosis, examination of skin smears would indicate anthrax bacteria.

Gastrointestinal anthrax diagnosis is more difficult. Initial symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and fever as seen in other diseases. If the patient has undergone intestinal anthrax picture, they will look very sick quickly, and perhaps a new diagnosis is made after death.

Pulmonary anthrax was first raised as 'flu' with fever, muscle aches and cough. Influenza is a disease that usually bothersome but not serious in most people who experience it except in case of complications such as pneumonia. Influenza arising together will increase the likelihood of pulmonary anthrax pulmonary complications, so the patient needs immediate hospital, where the diagnosis is usually confirmed quickly by several types of tests such as chest X-ray and laboratory for bacteria in body secretions and blood.

Anthrax Treatment

Several antibiotics are effective against cutaneous anthrax, especially doxycycline (and some other antibiotics of the tetracycline class), erythromycin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin. Pulmonary anthrax is more difficult to treat, and unless treated in a very early stage, usually a high mortality rate. Intestinal anthrax is more difficult to recognize, is also treated.

Vaccination

Non commercial vaccine in the UK is only used for high-risk individuals (eg veterinarians, butchers, etc.) but the vaccine is not recommended for the general public. So it is not possible to buy the vaccine.

Intentional Exposure to Anthrax

Anthrax as a biological weapon has disadvantages. It is very difficult to produce a form that can be distributed to a large number of people with intensive to cause widespread infection. Distributions made ​​by the suspected te**orists recently in the U.S. to raise awareness of the received packet in the mail, yet can not be happening a package that had accidentally contaminated with a great opportunity to cause disease in a person who opened it. 

Anthrax: Definition, Characteristics, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccination 2013-07-21T02:47:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Usgi