Anthrax

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Antibodies

Cutaneous anthrax

Cutaneous Anthrax

Inhalation anthrax

Woolsorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease; Cutaneous anthrax; Gastrointestinal anthrax

Most people with anthrax are treated with antibiotics. Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin.

When treating inhalational anthrax, a combination of antibiotics should be used. Doctors often start treatment ciprofloxacin plus another drug, given through a vein (intravenously).

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth, usually for 7 to 10 days.

The length of treatment for inhalation anthrax is currently about 60 days, since it may take anthrax spores that long to grow.

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In the event of a bioterrorist attack, the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile is available to help provide antibiotics should a shortage occur.

When treated with antibiotics, cutaneous anthrax is likely to get better. However, up to 20% of people who do not get treatment may die due to anthrax-related blood infections.

People with second-stage inhalation anthrax have a poor outlook, even with antibiotic therapy. Up to 90% of cases in the second stage are fatal.

Gastrointestinal anthrax infection can spread to the bloodstream, and may result in death.

Cutaneous anthrax:

• Spread of infection into the bloodstream

Inhalational anthrax:

• Hemorrhagic meningitis
• Swelling of lymph nodes in the chest (mediastinal adenopathy)
• Fluid buildup in the chest (pleural effusion)
• Shock
• Death

Gastrointestinal anthrax

• Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
• Shock
• Death

Call your health care provider if you have been exposed to anthrax, or if you develop symptoms of any type of anthrax.

Review Date: 05/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).