Anthrax history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

The symptoms of anthrax infection depend on the mode of anthrax exposure in the patient (cutaneous, ingestion, inhalation, injection). The cutaneous type of anthrax is characterized by a skin blister that evolves into an ulcer with a black center, muscle pains, fever, and vomiting. The gastrointestinal type may include symptoms of fever, chills, sore throat, painful swallowing, and abdominal pain. The symptoms of the inhalation type of anthrax are fever, chills, fatigue, sore throat, and shortness of breath. The symptoms of the injection type are usually similar to those of cutaneous anthrax; however, the disease may spread through the body faster. The symptoms of the injection type of anthrax include fever, chills, skin ulcer, and subcutaneous or muscular abscess. A history of exposure to contaminated animal materials, occupational exposure, and living in an endemic area is crucial when considering a diagnosis of anthrax.

Symptoms

The symptoms of anthrax infection depend on the mode of anthrax exposure in the patient (cutaneous, ingestion, inhalation, injection).

Cutaneous Anthrax

• Small painless skin sore that develops into a blister and later into a skin ulcer, with a black area at the center
• Fever
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

• Fever and chills
• Flushing and red eyes
• Headache
• Fainting
• Swelling of the neck or neck glands
• Sore throat
• Painful swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Nausea
• Vomiting, especially bloody vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Abdominal distension
• Diarrhea or bloody diarrhea

Inhalation or Pulmonary Anthrax

• Fatigue
• Body pain
• Fever and chills
• Sweating
• Headache
• Confusion or dizziness
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pains

Injection Anthrax

• Fever and chills
• Small blisters or bumps usually itchy, on the injection site
• Painless skin ulcer with a black center that appears after the blisters or bumps
• Swelling around the ulcer
• Subcutaneous or intramuscular abscess on the site of injection

Image Gallery

• 
  Day 1 of development and resolution of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax lesion.”Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO)
• 
  Day 2 - 3 of development and resolution of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax lesion.”Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO)
• 
  Day 4 of development and resolution of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax lesion.”Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO)
• 
  Day 6 of development and resolution of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax lesion.”Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO)
• 
  Day 11 of development and resolution of uncomplicated cutaneous anthrax lesion.”Adapted from World Health Organization (WHO)

References

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