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PARANOIA VS REALITY: By Judith Haney USNEWSLINK/October 20, 2001 I developed a cold sore on my mouth early this week. Prior to breaking out with the unsightly blister I felt like a truck had run over me. I mean I felt B-A-D. Since this was the first cold sore I had ever had it frightened me. I was sure I had contracted anthrax from handling mail delivered to my post office box. I thought, if postal workers can get it, so can I. In truth, it was not anthrax. It was a cold sore. BUT, what if it had been anthrax? What would I have done about it? Most physicians have never treated a patient for symptoms of anthrax infection. However, medical journals are full of pictures and case histories, therefore, alert doctors can usually diagnose the disease quickly. Anthrax on the skin has specific, unique, characteristics. And if there is any doubt, blood work will back up a visual diagnosis. This week, the CDC released a series of updates to laboratories and physicians regarding testing for and diagnosing anthrax infection in humans. The series provides the casual reader a comprehensive overview of the disease and it's diagnosis and treatment. A live, interactive broadcast entitled “Biological and Chemical Warfare and Terrorism: Medical Issues and Response” will be aired on November 28, 29, and 30, 2001, from 1230 to 1630 EST, and will be available throughout the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Southern Canada. A taped rebroadcast will be aired on 8 and 9 December from 1030 to 1630 EST. The following is an overview of various forms of anthrax infection: What
are the symptoms of anthrax? Cutaneous: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal. Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases. Bacillus anthracis, the organism that causes anthrax, derives its name from the Greek word for coal, anthracis, because of its ability to cause black, coal-like cutaneous eschars Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Biological & Chemical Warfare
and Terrorism Biological and Chemical Warfare Satellite Course Fact Sheet Update Public and Private Labs and Others on Rapid Anthrax Test, October 18, 2001 CDC Addresses Public Health Questions About Anthrax, October, 17, 2001 Anthrax antibiotic treatments and CDC disease detective status, October 17, 2001 Facts about anthrax testing and on-going investigations in Florida, Nevada, New York, and Washington D.C., October 16, 2001 How To Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats, October 12, 2001 |
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