Symptoms of Anthrax: Causes and How It’s Diagnosed

Guide to Anthrax: Identifying Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

If there is one disease that is rare but should not be ignored, it is anthrax as it can be quite severe. It is caused by a spore-forming bacterium known as Bacillus anthracis which commonly infects livestock and wildlife. Humans can, however, develop anthrax infection through direct or indirect contact with animals that are infected, making awareness crucial.

Anthrax disease takes several forms – cutaneous (infecting the skin), gastrointestinal, and inhalation – all exhibiting different signs. Even though anthrax is rare, its potential to be contagious and that there is a possibility of it being used in bioterrorism establishes that it is necessary to identify and treat the affected individuals as soon as possible. 

Luckily, due to progress in medicine, there is fast treatment through antibiotics and other therapies, which can be life-saving.

Understanding how anthrax is diagnosed, its symptoms and its causes are not just informative but can empower you to protect yourself and those around you.

What is an Anthrax?

Anthrax is a relatively rare but serious infectious disease caused by ring bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. These bacteria exist in a dormant state in the soil, which mainly infects grazing animals like cows, sheep, and goats.

So, what is anthrax in humans? It is an infectious disease that is non-contagious but can be fatal if not treated appropriately. It poses a higher risk for people dealing with infected animals and laboratory workers involved in the study of the causative bacterium. People who come into contact with anthrax during certain bioterrorism acts can also get infected.

Even though anthrax is not transmitted from one person to another, early intervention is important because deaths can be avoided with the help of antibiotics or immunization.

What Causes Anthrax?

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, which has resilient spores that can persist in soil for many years. Susceptible hosts like cattle and sheep and wild animals like deer unknowingly ingest or breathe in these dormant spores while grazing, which later on triggers the infection cycle in them.

Once the anthrax spores gain entry into the body, they come in contact with body fluids get activated and start multiplying. This results in the development of toxins that disseminate throughout the organism’s body, and can elicit severe life-threatening responses. 

In humans, anthrax can also be affected by handling animals with the disease, inhalation of spores, or consumption of contaminated meat.

With Bacillus anthracis having this kind of resistance it remains a real threat to environments where animals are exposed to the contaminated grazing lands. The fact that these spores can survive for long without causing anthrax elucidates the need for preventive strategies, especially for the high-risk zones or businesses relating to livestock and animal products.

Types of Anthrax

The types of anthrax are defined by how the bacteria enter the body, each posing unique risks and symptoms. Here’s an overview of the main types:

Cutaneous (Skin) Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax is composed of Bacillus anthracis bacteria. It is the most common form of disease that results from the invasion of the bacterium through the skin and is associably the least serious form of the disease. 

People who are mainly engaged in high-risk activities include veterinarians and those who come into contact with animals’ wool, hide, or hair. As a result, prompt treatment will most often lead to a full recovery.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

This kind emerges when people eat raw or undercooked meat from infected animals. These bacteria invade the esophagus, throat, stomach, and intestines. Hence, patients complain of severe gastrointestinal problems.

Inhalation Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax, or “woolsorter’s disease, is, on the other hand, the most dangerous type, which can be contracted when a person breathes in anthrax spores. It causes a disease if untreated, that produces significant respiratory distress and death in most cases. People working in places such as wool processing mills, tanneries as well as slaughterhouses encounter much higher risks.

Injection Anthrax

Injection anthrax affects individuals who inject drugs like heroin. This rare form results in deep infections in muscles or under the skin.

What are the Symptoms of Anthrax?

Anthrax symptoms in humans vary depending on how the infection occurs. There are four primary types of anthrax—cutaneous, gastrointestinal, inhalation, and injection—each presenting distinct signs. Symptoms often appear within six days of exposure, but inhalation anthrax may take weeks to manifest.

Cutaneous Anthrax Symptoms

Cutaneous anthrax, the most common and mildest form, enters through a cut or sore on the skin. Symptoms include:

• A raised, itchy bump resembling an insect bite that turns into a painless sore with a black centre.
• Swelling around the sore and nearby lymph nodes.
• Occasionally, flu-like symptoms such as fever and headache.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax Symptoms

Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs from eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It affects the digestive tract, causing:

• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
• Loss of appetite, fever, and severe diarrhoea in advanced stages.
• Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a swollen neck.

Inhalation Anthrax Symptoms

The deadliest form, inhalation anthrax, results from breathing in spores. Early symptoms mimic the flu, including:

• Mild fever, fatigue, and sore throat.
• Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood.
• Advanced stages may cause shock, severe breathing trouble, and meningitis.

Injection Anthrax Symptoms

Reported primarily in Europe, injection anthrax arises from injecting illegal drugs. Symptoms include:

• Redness and swelling at the injection site.
• Shock, organ failure, and meningitis in severe cases.

Recognizing anthrax symptoms early can save lives. Timely medical attention and treatment are critical for all forms of this infection.

Complications of Anthrax

Anthrax disease can lead to severe and life-threatening complications if left untreated. The most serious include sepsis, where the body’s response to infection causes multiple organ damage, and hemorrhagic meningitis, a deadly inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that results in massive bleeding

Complications vary depending on the type of anthrax:

1. Cutaneous Anthrax
2. Cutaneous anthrax, though the mildest form, can still be fatal if untreated. While nearly all patients recover with treatment, about 20% of untreated cases result in death.
3. Gastrointestinal Anthrax
4. Gastrointestinal anthrax poses a higher risk, with around 60% of treated patients surviving. Without medical care, more than half of cases prove fatal. This type can also lead to severe conditions like brain and spinal cord swelling (meningoencephalitis).
5. Inhalation Anthrax
6. The deadliest form, inhalation anthrax, has a survival rate of about 55% with treatment. Without treatment, survival drops drastically to just 15%, as it often causes severe respiratory distress and systemic failure.

How is an Anthrax Diagnosed?

Diagnosing anthrax involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests. Healthcare providers begin by assessing symptoms, exposure history, and risk factors. Based on these findings, they may recommend specific tests to confirm the presence of Bacillus anthracis.

Laboratory Tests

The most common method is B. anthracis detection in blood, biopsy from the skin lesions, and B. anthracis detection in stool. These tests help identify the infection and determine the type of anthrax affecting the patient.

Imaging and Specialized Tests

Chest radiographs and CT scans are routinely done to assess the presence of effusions and/or mediastinal enlargement which is seen in inhalational anthrax. Endoscopy may be performed to evaluate the esophagus or the intestines in the case of suspected intestinal anthrax.

Spinal Fluid Analysis

In most cases of complicated diseases, cerebrospinal fluid can be sampled by using a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). This test is important when there is a suspicion of complications caused due to anthrax, such as hemorrhagic meningitis.

Effective Treatments for Anthrax

Timely anthrax treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications and save lives. Most forms of anthrax respond well to medical interventions when detected early. If you suspect exposure, contacting a healthcare provider immediately is essential to begin treatment promptly.

Antibiotics

• Antibiotics are the cornerstone of anthrax treatment. They can be administered orally, via injection, or intravenously, depending on the severity of the infection. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro®) and doxycycline (Doryx®). Treatment usually lasts up to 60 days to fully eradicate the infection and prevent relapse.

Antitoxins

• Antitoxins are injectable medications designed to neutralize the toxins produced by anthrax bacteria. While they don’t kill the bacteria, they work in tandem with antibiotics to halt the spread of toxins in the body.

 Anthrax Vaccine

• The BioThrax® vaccine not only prevents anthrax infection but can also be used as a treatment. Infected individuals may receive three doses of the vaccine over four weeks, coupled with a course of antibiotics for maximum effectiveness.
• Fast and comprehensive treatment significantly improves recovery chances, emphasizing the importance of early medical attention in managing anthrax effectively.

How to Prevent Anthrax

Preventing anthrax involves a combination of vaccination, responsible practices, and avoiding potential sources of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines effective strategies to minimize the risk of contracting this serious disease.

Vaccination

The anthrax vaccine is a critical preventive measure for individuals in high-risk professions, including military personnel, livestock handlers, veterinarians, and researchers working with Bacillus anthracis. 

This vaccine is 90% effective at preventing infection. It involves a series of five doses over 18 months, followed by an annual booster. The vaccine can also help stop infection if administered shortly after exposure to anthrax spores.

Post-Exposure Treatment

After exposure, a 60-day course of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, or levofloxacin is recommended. In some cases, monoclonal antibodies like raxibacumab and obiltoxaximab may be used to further protect against infection.

Travel and Lifestyle Precautions

Travelers to anthrax-prone regions should avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, handling animal hides or hair, and making contact with animals. These simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of exposure.

Anthrax is a rare but serious disease that can be effectively managed and prevented with timely interventions. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, as well as adhering to preventive measures like vaccination and safe practices, the risk of infection can be significantly reduced.

Moreover, it can be expensive to get such treatments done. So, make sure you are in good hands with your health insurance, such as Star Health.