Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

310 Infectious Diseases
antibiotic therapy recovers without complications.
• Inhalation anthrax results when a person
breathes B. anthracis into the LUNGS, where the
infection causes life-threatening PNEUMONIA.
Inhalation anthrax requires urgent intravenous
antibiotic therapy and intensive medical care. It
is difficult to avoid respiratory collapse and cardiovascular
shock, which are often fatal.
• Gastrointestinal anthrax results from eating
meat contaminated with B. anthracis. It causes
NAUSEA, VOMITING (often bloody), FEVER, ABDOMI-
NAL PAIN, and profuse DIARRHEA. Many people
recover, but the illness can be life threatening.
The diagnostic path includes a comprehensive
history of potential exposure to livestock or livestock
products and BLOOD tests to identify the presence
of characteristic antibodies. The doctor may
also culture body fluids to look for B. anthracis.
Treatment Options and Outlook
Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for
all forms of anthrax. The earlier treatment begins,
the more effective it is. Untreated anthrax in any
form can be serious or fatal. A person who has
anthrax cannot spread the infection to others,
though health-care providers follow diligent infection
control protocols when treating people who
have anthrax.
ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS TO TREAT ANTHRAX
ciprofloxacin
doxycycline
levofloxacin
penicillin
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
Exposure to potentially contaminated livestock or
livestock products (meat, hides, fur) is the primary
risk for naturally acquired anthrax. A vaccine to
prevent anthrax is available; however, current
guidelines recommend its administration only to
people at high risk for exposure to B. anthracis or
after suspected exposure to B. anthracis. Multiple
doses over 18 months, with annual boosters, are
required to establish and maintain IMMUNITY.
In the late 1990s anthrax emerged as a worldwide
bioterrorism threat, with concern for the
possibility of widespread infection after intentional
contamination of the US mail with B. anthracis
caused two dozen Americans to become ill with
anthrax, five of whom died from the inhalation
form. At present public health experts recommend
the vaccine in combination with antibiotic therapy
to prevent illness in people exposed to B. anthracis.
See also ANTIBODY; FOODBORNE ILLNESSES; SMALL-
POX.