FAQs

Q: What is anthrax and what are the ways that people can contract it?
A: Anthrax is a bacterium that forms spores. We've known about Anthrax for a long time. In fact, anthrax was categorized as one of the first occupational hazards of ancient wool-sorters. It was a much more common infection years ago, but we've had very few natural cases over the last hundred years. Anthrax typically infects the skin in more than 95 percent of cases. It can also affect the GI tract (intestines), or actually be breathed in as inhalational anthrax. There have only been 18 confirmed inhalational cases from 1900 to 1976 in the U.S., and not a single case, before yesterday, over the last 25 years. Typically, the way people get it now is through the handling of animals or soil that contain the bacteria and its spores.

Q: How can you tell you have been exposed to Anthrax?
A: Anthrax spores are microscopic and have no odor or taste. It is unlikely that you would be able to tell if you were exposed to Anthrax. Anthrax can be detected through lab tests.

Q: If Anthrax is not detectable, how do you know when you have been exposed to Anthrax?
A: Some of the early symptoms may be vague, and resemble flu-like symptoms. It is a duty of the public health system to screen people in areas where anthrax is known to exist, so that infected people can be found before symptoms develop.

Q: How long does it take to manifest symptoms?
A: The usual course for someone infected is that they'll develop symptoms within one to six days. They'll often get a temporary recovery, then have a worsening of symptoms after that. That's a typical course. As I said earlier, sometimes the symptoms can take weeks, if the spores don't germinate right away.

Q: What does it physically do to humans?
A: There is a misconception that anthrax causes pneumonia. This is not typical, in terms of the actual effect on humans. Typically, inhalational anthrax will get into the smallest part of the lungs, called the alveoli, because the particles are usually less than a few microns in size. From there, anthrax often releases toxins that can affect the lymphatic system, and ultimately seep into the blood. In more than half the cases, the infection will also spread to the brain. The specific cause of death from anthrax is related to breathing difficulties, but mainly to overwhelming uncontrollable infection, also known as sepsis.

Q: How is Anthrax treated?
A: There are two specific antibiotics that are used to treat Anthrax. Any person exposed to Anthrax would be treated with these antibiotics as soon as possible after exposure. The government has stockpiles of these antibiotics and there is NO NEED for private citizens to stockpile their own. This is particularly important because:

Q: Is anthrax airborne and if so would you explain the difference between airborne disease and other diseases?
A: I want to be clear about a couple of terms that get thrown around with regards to anthrax. When we talk about anthrax as a bioterrorism weapon, that usually refers to the "weaponizing" of anthrax. This involves obtaining anthrax, drying it, and grinding it up into very small particles. This is a very difficult process, and the bacteria are often rendered inactive in the process. "Airborne," simply means that the bacteria itself can persist in the air, and be transmitted in the air. But that does NOT mean that humans spread it to each other. Airborne does not necessarily imply contagious. Anthrax is NOT contagious.

Q: What about the vaccine? Is it 100% effective?
A: From what we know of the vaccine at this point, it is about 93 percent effective. There is only one company making it, located in Lansing, Michigan. The FDA Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following groups: Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory; Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores; Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated.); Military personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon). At this time the vaccine is not available to the public.

For more information please visit the CDC's Health Advisory on Anthrax.

These are considered general guidelines for information on Anthrax. For more information or if your particular problem or question was not addressed, please contact my office