• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Anthrax

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Wool sorter's disease; Ragpicker's disease

Treatment:

Most people with anthrax are treated with antibiotic therapy. Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).

When treating inhalation anthrax, a combination of antibiotics should be used. Doctors often start treatment with an intravenous form of Cipro plus another drug.

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with pill (oral) antibiotics.

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

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

Expectations (prognosis):

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.

The prognosis of gastrointestinal anthrax is also poor. A high number of people die from this form of the disease.

Complications:

• Cutaneous anthrax: Spread of infection into the bloodstream
• Inhalational anthrax: Hemorrhagic meningitis, mediastinitis , shock, and death
• Gastrointestinal anthrax: Hemorrhage, shock, and death

Calling your health care provider:

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

References:

Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection. JAMA . 2004;291:1994-1998.

Inglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA .160;2002;287:2236-2252.

• Review Date: 6/8/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark Levin, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.