Many illnesses begin with symptoms commonly referred to as "flu-like"
symptoms. These include fever, lack of energy, and muscle aches. If you feel
that you may have anthrax, see your doctor right away.
| Flu symptoms | Inhalation anthrax (breathing) | Cutaneous anthrax (skin) | Intestinal anthrax (eating) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, a dry cough, sore throat, and possibly a runny nose. These symptoms usually last for several days for most people; however, they can last for as long as two weeks. | Initial symptoms are much like a common cold, and may mimic flu-like symptoms. However, several hours to several days later they progress to severe breathing problems and shock. | Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite, but within one to two days develops into a sore, and then into a painless ulcer with a black (dead) center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. | Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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