Anthrax is a rare, serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, transmitted to humans from grass-eating farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and wild game animals. It is also known as "shepherd's boil" and "black bubble" among the people. You can find answers to your questions such as what anthrax means, what is anthrax disease, what are the symptoms of anthrax and how to treat anthrax.
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases. Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming bacterium. Thanks to sports, it can continue to live for years in unsuitable environments. Spore forms of Bacillus anthracis are extremely resistant to hot, cold, ultraviolet, chemical disinfectants, high and low pH. Because of these properties, anthrax is also used as a biological weapon.
Although anthrax does not cause a pandemic that results in deaths worldwide, it is one of the most important diseases in the history of the world. Anthrax, also known as the 5th plague in some regions, is one of the infectious diseases that is decreasing day by day. In the last 20 years, cases of human anthrax have decreased considerably in Western countries. Anthrax is currently endemic in some Latin American, African and Asian countries. In our country, although rare, anthrax cases are generally of agricultural origin. Anthrax disease occurred in only 37 people in the Eastern Anatolia Region in 2017, and all of the cases were treated.
Transmission Routes of Anthrax
Anthrax is transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with sick animals. However, there is no conclusive evidence of human-to-human or animal-to-animal transmission. Anthrax disease is divided into 3 groups according to the sources of contamination:
- Agricultural Anthrax: It is the most common mode of transmission of Anthrax in Turkey. It is transmitted to humans through direct contact with an animal infected by bacteria.
- Industrial Anthrax: After the animal is infected by bacteria, it is transmitted to humans as a result of processing its hair, wool, skin and bones.
- Laboratory Anthrax. : Although this mode of transmission is rare, it can cause serious epidemics. The anthrax bacteria produced in the laboratory environment It is transmitted by using it as a biological weapon.
What are Anthrax Types and Symptoms of Anthrax Disease?
Symptoms of anthrax begin to appear within 2-6 days after exposure to the bacteria. Anthrax may show different symptoms depending on the mode of transmission:
1. Gastrointestinal (Digestive) System Anthrax The entire gastrointestinal (digestive) system from the throat to the intestines of the infected patient is affected. It is transmitted by consuming undercooked or raw food obtained from an animal with anthrax. Most of the symptoms begin to appear within 2-5 days after the consumption of foods containing anthrax:
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Loss of appetite,
- Abdominal pain,
- Fever,
- Flushing (red face) and red eyes,
- Headache,
- Severe bloody diarrhea,
- Sore throat and difficulty swallowing,
- Severe stomach pain,
- Swelling of the neck and neck glands.
- Sore throat,
- Fatigue and muscle aches,
- Mild chest discomfort,
- Shaking,
- Shortness of breath,
- Nausea,
- Spitting blood,
- Difficulty swallowing,
- High fever,
- Shock,
- Meningitis.
- Redness and swelling at the injection site,
- Shock,
- Multiple organ failure,
- Meningitis.
Why Is Anthrax Dangerous?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anthrax can be effectively used in a biological attack. Here are some reasons why it is an agent:
- It is easily found in nature.
- Can be produced in a laboratory environment.
- It can survive for a long time despite harsh living conditions.
- Can be easily released in the form of a powder or spray, without attracting attention.
- It may not be noticed by the senses of taste, smell or sight.
How Is Anthrax Diagnosed?
During the examination performed by a specialist physician, your symptoms and the possibility of exposure to anthrax are evaluated. Various tests and tests are performed on the patient who shows signs of anthrax:
- Skin Test: A fluid sample or a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the wound on the skin. It is evaluated whether anthrax bacteria are found in the samples taken.
- Blood and Stool Analyzes: Anthrax bacteria are searched in the samples taken.
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scan helps to diagnose the disease in cases where lung anthrax is suspected.
- Examination of Cerebrospinal Fluid (Lumbar Puncture): Specimens taken from the spinal cord canal with the help of an injector are investigated for anthrax-induced meningitis.
Anthracite Treatment
Anthrax is a curable disease. As in all diseases, early diagnosis in anthrax disease increases the effectiveness of the treatment and helps the patient to regain his health. The treatment to be applied in anthrax disease depends on the severity of the disease, how the patient is infected, the presence of chronic diseases, age, and general health. made the person sick. After this biological attack, researchers developed antitoxin drugs against anthrax. Developed drugs Although it cannot destroy the anthrax bacteria, it helps to remove the toxins secreted by the bacteria from the body. When applied with antibiotic treatment, faster improvement was observed in anthrax.
Drug treatment alone may not be sufficient for the treatment of cutaneous anthrax. In patients with cutaneous anthrax, infected tissues may need to be surgically removed. Drugs that tighten blood vessels and increase blood pressure, and antibiotic treatment are administered.
Can Anthrax Disease Be Prevented?
You can take some precautions to prevent Anthrax disease:
1. Animals suspected of having anthrax should not be contacted, meat and dairy products should not be consumed.2. Animals with anthrax should be buried in deep pits.3. The places that infected animals may come into contact with should be disinfected.4. Raw, uncooked meat should not be eaten.5. Especially when there is a wound on the hands, one should not touch the meat with bare hands without taking protective measures.6. Anthrax bacteria can live in the soil for years. To prevent transmission, animals should be vaccinated, especially in areas where anthrax is present.7. The most effective preventive measure against anthrax is vaccination. The anthrax vaccine, which does not contain live bacteria, does not cause infection either. It is known to protect against both skin and lung anthrax. There is no obligation to administer a general anthrax vaccine. However, vaccination is the most important preventive measure, especially for people who are likely to come into contact with anthrax bacteria.
The symptoms of anthrax are usually sudden and can cause serious consequences. If you show symptoms or suspect that you have been exposed to anthrax, seek emergency care immediately.
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