Anthrax Bacterial Disease Scientific name Bacillus anthracis Anthrax
Anthrax Bacterial Disease Scientific name: Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax bacterium forms spores which can remain dormant for up to a decade until the right conditions are met. The bacterium can be found in soil, which then causes animals, especially ruminants, to get infected by it. Humans can get anthrax if open wounds come in contact with infected soil, inhaled or if infected animals are ingested (Zoononic) Anthrax can take three forms: Cutaneous anthrax: Involving the skin. Symptoms include: Starts as a pink rash where open Skin came into contact, Progressing o blisters, then open sores. Has a 20% mortality rate Inhalational anthrax: Involving the lungs Symptoms include: Cold or flu like symptoms Fever Aches and pains Sore throat Cough Chest pains Shortness of breath 80% mortality rate Gastrointestinal anthrax: Involving the digestive system Symptoms include: Fever Nausea Decreased appetite Diarrhea, usually with blood and Abdominal pain. 75% mortality rate
Incubation period: varies from 1 day to 43 days People most at risk: Veterinarians, meat processors, animals shearers and tanners Treatment: antibiotics such as penicillin, doxycycline and ciproflaxin for cutaneous anthrax. For inhalational anthrax, a combination of antibiotics needs to be used and administered by IV Prevention: When in an environment that anthrax spores could possibly be present, you should: ‒ Use appropriate PPE, such as eye protection and gloves ‒ Regularly wash hands with soap and warm water ‒ Avoid putting fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth. ‒ Maintain a clean workplace.
Bacillus anthrax danger Bacillus anthrax itself isnt dangerous itself, but rather what makes people sick is the toxins it produces. It produces two types of toxins; lethal toxin and edema toxin. These toxins can bind to the cellular receptors in cells, interfering with cell signalling. This can effect innate immune responses, as well as damage and collapse sells, especially cells in the blood and lymph vessels, which is one of the reasons it can kill. While it can be treated with antibiotics, anthrax can have lasting effects as even when the bacterium is killed off, there are still lingering toxins in the body which continue to damage cells.
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