Anthrax Summary Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a germ that lives in soil. Many people know about it from the 2001 bioterror attacks. In the attacks, someone purposely spread anthrax through the U.S. mail. This killed five people and made 22 sick. Anthrax is rare. It affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats more often than people. People can get anthrax from contact with infected animals, wool, meat, or hides. It can cause three forms of disease in people. They are Cutaneous, which affects the skin. People with cuts or open sores can get it if they touch the bacteria. Inhalation, which affects the lungs. You can get this if you breathe in spores of the bacteria. Gastrointestinal, which affects the digestive system. You can get it by eating infected meat. Antibiotics often cure anthrax if it is diagnosed early. But many people don’t know they have anthrax until it is too late to treat. A vaccine to prevent anthrax is available for people in the military and others at high risk. NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array Anthrax Anthrax – blood test Anthrax Vaccine: What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Start Here Anthrax National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthrax Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Anthrax Basics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Images Anthrax Logical Images Teenagers Anthrax Nemours Foundation Diagnosis and Tests Anthrax: Diagnosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Testing for Anthrax: Frequently Asked Questions Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prevention and Risk Factors Anthrax: Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Symptoms Anthrax: Symptoms Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Treatments and Therapies Anthrax: Treatment Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Anthrax National Institutes of Health Specifics Cutaneous Anthrax Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Inhalation Anthrax Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues How People Are Infected Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Anthrax
