 |
| Anthrax, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Anthrax is an infectious disease that is transmitted from livestock. A person can get anthrax if he touches or eats the flesh of an animal infected with anthrax. According to one study, 2,000–20,000 cases of anthrax in humans occur every year. This disease generally occurs in developing and less developed countries.
Anthrax is a serious disease that can cause death. Even so, this zoonotic disease is rare. In addition, to date there is no evidence to suggest that the bacteria that causes anthrax can be transmitted between humans.
Causes of Anthrax
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis that lives in the soil. These bacteria can attack grass-eating animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.
Based on the mode of transmission, anthrax is divided into three types, namely:
Skin anthrax
Skin anthrax is contagious in people who have open sores on the skin. Transmission occurs when a person touches the skin, fur, bones, or flesh of an infected animal.
Skin anthrax is the most common type of anthrax, but it is not dangerous. Anthrax usually develops 1–7 days after exposure.
Digestive anthrax
This type of anthrax occurs when a person eats the meat of an infected animal so that the anthrax bacteria enter the digestive tract. This condition generally occurs 1-7 days after a person is exposed to the bacteria.
Respiratory anthrax
Respiratory anthrax is the most dangerous anthrax. A person can become infected with respiratory anthrax by inhaling pollen (spores) of the anthrax bacteria, for example when processing fur or skin from livestock.
Infections due to anthrax usually only develop after 7 days to 2 months after a person is exposed.
In addition to the above methods, anthrax can also be transmitted through the use of injectable heroin. However, this type of anthrax only occurs in European countries.
Anthrax risk factors
There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of being infected with anthrax, namely:
- Activities in areas where anthrax is common
- Work in the processing of leather, fur, or meat from farm animals
- Profession as a breeder or animal caretaker
- Work as an anthrax researcher in a laboratory
- Profession as a veterinarian, especially those dealing with farm animals
Until now there has been no research showing that anthrax can be transmitted between humans. However, it is possible that a person can also become infected with anthrax from contact with wounds on the skin of an anthrax sufferer.
Symptoms of Anthrax
Symptoms of anthrax can vary, depending on the route the bacteria enter into a person's body. The following are some of the symptoms of anthrax based on how it is transmitted:
Skin anthrax
Skin anthrax is characterized by the appearance of many bumps on the skin that can be accompanied by itching. These lumps most often appear on the face, neck, and arms. Then the lump can turn into a black, painless ulcer.
Digestive anthrax
Symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax or gastrointestinal anthrax include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Fever
- Lump on neck
- Diarrhea
- Bloody CHAPTER
Respiratory anthrax
Symptoms of respiratory anthrax include:
- Fever
- Pain when swallowing
- Muscle ache
- Tired easily
- Hard to breathe
- Shock
- Inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis)
When to go to the doctor
Anthrax is a rare disease. However, if you work in an environment where there is a risk of exposure to anthrax, you will need to be vaccinated.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the symptoms of anthrax as described above, especially if you have frequent contact with farm animals, or eat undercooked beef.
Anthrax Diagnosis
In diagnosing anthrax, the doctor will first ask about the symptoms that appear and a history of contact with farm animals, then perform a physical examination. If anthrax is suspected, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a series of tests, such as:
• Skin test
The doctor will take a sample of fluid or skin from the blister, which is suspected to be the entry point for bacteria, to be examined in a laboratory.
• Blood test
The doctor will perform a blood test on the patient to determine the presence of anthrax bacteria in the blood.
• Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray aims to detect lung abnormalities, which can occur as a result of inhaling anthrax bacteria.
• Stool examination
Doctors can examine a patient's stool sample to detect the presence of anthrax bacteria in the stool.
• Lumbar puncture
A lumbar puncture is performed by taking spinal cord fluid through a needle inserted into the spinal gap. The spinal fluid will then be examined in a laboratory.
Anthrax Treatment
Anthrax will be easier to cure if treatment is done quickly. The doctor will give a combination of antibiotics, such as penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin, to maximize treatment.
Please note that the success rate of anthrax treatment depends on the age, the patient's general health condition, and the area of the body that is infected.
Complications of Anthrax
If not treated promptly, anthrax can cause inflammation of the lining of the brain and spine (meningitis). This condition can cause heavy bleeding that can lead to death.
Anthrax Prevention
Anthrax can be prevented by avoiding the factors that can trigger its transmission. Some efforts that can be done are:
- Ensure that the meat is thoroughly cooked before eating
- Undergo anthrax vaccination, especially if you have risk factors for this disease
- Avoid interactions with animals infected with anthrax
Related Search:
- anthrax,
- what is anthrax,
- anthrax band,
- anthrax vaccine,
- anthrax symptoms,
- the hot zone anthrax,
- hot zone anthrax,
- anthrax attacks,
- anthrax (american band),
- anthrax powder,
- anthrax vaccine side effects,
- 2001 anthrax attacks,
- cutaneous anthrax,
- anthrax poisoning,
- anthrax island,
- anthrax in cattle,
- anthrax vaccine military,
- anthrax among the living,
- where does anthrax come from,
- anthrax 2001,
- anthrax show,
- anthrax treatment,
- anthrax disease,
- anthrax attacks 2001,
- whats anthrax,
- anthrax spores,
- anthrax treatments,
- is anthrax contagious,
- what is anthrax powder,
- anthrax albums,
- anthrax shot,
- anthrax definition,
- anthrax in mail,
- anthrax bring the noise,
- what does anthrax look like,
- anthrax killer,
- the hot zone anthrax cast,
- anthrax scare,
- how is anthrax transmitted,
- anthrax vaccine military compensation 2019,
- anthrax attack,
- anthrax bacteria,
- anthrax tour,
- long term side effects of anthrax vaccine,
- anthrax songs,
- anthrax spreading the disease,
- inhalation anthrax,
- long term anthrax vaccine side effects,
- anthrax indians,
- anthrax letters,
- the power of the dog ending anthrax,
- what does anthrax do,
- anthrax i am the law,
- anthrax letter,
- anthrax mail,
- anthrax only,
- anthrax drug,
- anthrax persistence of time,
- anthrax power of the dog,
- anthrax vaccine military lawsuit,
- anthrax discography,
- anthrax got the time,
- anthrax logo,
- anthrax fistful of metal,
- anthrax band members,
- anthrax tour 2022,
- anthrax antisocial,
- anthrax state of euphoria,
- not man anthrax,
- anthrax scott ian,
- anthrax for all kings,
- for all kings anthrax,
- anthrax madhouse,
- anthrax worship music,
- anthrax sound of white noise,
- bruce ivins anthrax,
- anthrax not man,
- hot zone anthrax cast,
- anthrax im the man,
- anthrax caught in a mosh,
- anthrax vaccine side effects long term,
- anthrax cure,
- castle anthrax,
- scott ian anthrax,
- anthrax t shirt,
- anthrax t shirts,
- anthrax singer,
- treatment for anthrax,
- anthrax transmission,
- antibiotic for anthrax,
- side effects of anthrax shot,
- anthrax shots side effects,
- define anthrax,
- anthrax paintball,
- anthrax cattle,
- anthrax members,
- anthrax vaccine military side effects,
- va compensation for anthrax vaccine 2020,
- anthrax shirt,
- military anthrax vaccine,
