lation anthrax is 8,000 to 10,000 spores. The particle size is smaller than 5 microns. This causes septicemia (blood poisoning) or hemorrhagic inflammation of the lymph nodes. People usually die after 24-36 hours after exposure and it occurs in 95 to 100 percent of untreated cases. This is the type of anthrax expected to occur in biological warfare. The least common, naturally occurring form and most fatal is intestinal anthrax. A person usually comes into contact with it by ingestion of uncooked or undercooked infected foods. Some of the symptoms of intestinal anthrax are severe protracted vomiting, fever, signs of blood poisoning, and bloody diarrhea. In the early stages the symptoms are quite mild and nonspecific. The most common ways to contract oropharyngeal anthrax is either through breathing or eating. This happens when the spores are large enough to stay in the nasal passages or mouth and cause infection. Those infected develop fever, edema, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw. To prevent deaths due to anthrax early diagnosis in necessary. Unfortunately a correct diagnosis is not easily done, because the symptoms are not unique to anthrax. Vaccination with the use of antibiotics is the best form of treatment. Penicillin or tetracycline is used for mild cutaneous cases. Tetracycline is not usually prescribed for children until after all their permanent teeth have come in, because it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming. Blood cultures, CSF culture, chest X-rays, spinal taps, and a serologic test are all different forms of tests that can be conducted to detect anthrax. All over the world anthrax can be found. The developing countries or countries without veterinary health programs are where anthrax is more common. In those countries vaccination level of animal herds are low, so people should avoid contact with meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. A...
