Wanted Pathogen
By Neha Bhattacharyya
Anthrax
Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores.
There are three types of anthrax:
- skin (cutaneous)
- lungs (inhalation)
- digestive (gastrointestinal)
How it spreads and affects organisms.
Anthrax from animals. Humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products (like wool, for example). People also can become infected with gastrointestinal anthrax by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.
CUTANEOUS- the bacillus enters the skin through a scratch, cut, or sore. Pustules occur on the hands, face, and neck; if the disease is not treated with antibiotics, the bacteria can migrate to the blood vessels, causing septicemia (blood poisoning) and death.
GASTROINTESTINAL- is more likely to be fatal. Nausea, vomiting, and fever can be followed by abdominal bleeding, tissue death, and septicemia.
INHALATION-anthrax begins with flu-like symptoms and ultimately causes lesions in the lungs and brain. It is rarer than the other two.
treatments:
Antibiotics are used to treat all three types of anthrax. Early identification and treatment are important.
Prevention after exposure. Treatment is different for a person who is exposed to anthrax, but is not yet sick. Health-care providers will use antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin) combined with the anthrax vaccine to prevent anthrax infection.
Treatment after infection. Treatment is usually a 60-day course of antibiotics. Success depends on the type of anthrax and how soon treatment begins.
VACCINATION
common victims
Males around the ages 50-70 and females around the ages of 45-65.
Also,Farm animals.
effects:
cutaneous anthrax-can be cured by antibiotics.
Gastrointestinal anthrax -more severe,can cause death.
Inhalation anthrax-most severe.
(In 2001, about half of the cases of inhalation anthrax ended in death.)
armed and dangerous
it is well armed through vaccination and early treatment can cure the body.
but if not taken care preperly it can lead to death.
facts:
1. The word Anthrax is derived from the Greek word anthrakos which means coal.
2.Anthrax is a seasonal disease that is controlled by temperature fluctuations, amount of rain received, and soil type.
3.143 nations around the world have signed a treaty banning the use of weapons loaded with anthrax spores.
4.Thousands of anthrax spores are required for human infection, of which all can fit in the area of a single pinhead.
5.Death in humans and animals because of anthrax infection is still not completely understood, partially because it happens so quickly and without warning.
(http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/cottor_mick/index_files/Page969.htm)