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Cutaneous (skin) anthrax can occur when bacteria enter a break in the skin.
Cutaneous anthrax, the most common naturally occurring types, comes from handling contaminated animal product - such as meat, wool, or hides.
Begins as a small bump, progresses to a larger blister in 1-2 days, followed by a black scab called an eschar.
About 5% to 20% of untreated cases can result in death, but death is rare if given antibiotic therapy.
Gastrointestinal (stomach) anthrax can occur when eating raw or undercooked contaminated meat.
Gastrointestinal anthrax is a very rare diseaseno documented U.S. case in the 20th century.
Initial signs are nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever followed by severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, and severe diarrhea.
Death results in 25% to 60% of cases.
Inhalational anthrax can occur when inhaling as few as 5000-6000 anthrax sporesperhaps in a single deep breath.
Initial symptoms may develop in 1-6 days, and resemble the common cold or flu: sore throat, mild fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
Mild symptoms can progress very rapidly after a few days to severe breathing problems and shockif left untreated, death rate exceeds 99%.
Even when treated aggressively in a state-of-art hospital center, once severe symptoms develop, 45% to 80% of patients could die.
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