Cutaneous Anthrax

What Is Cutaneous Anthrax?

Cutaneous Anthrax is an infection of the skin resulting from coming into contact with a bacterium called Bacillus Anthracis (a natural soil-dwelling organism and the active agent in Anthrax).This type of Anthrax affects humans through the skin. Cutaneous Anthrax is involved in 95% of all Anthrax incidents in the world.

How Is Cutaneous Anthrax Spread?

This bacterium is most commonly spread through the contact with animal hair and hides of animals infected with the virus. Farm workers, vetinarians, and wool workers have the highest risk of contracting Cutaneous Anthrax due to the type of work they do. Cutaneous Anthrax has also been spread intentionally as a type of chemical warfare. Cutaneous anthrax occurs when either the spores or the bacteria enter the body through a cut or abrasion. In many individuals who work in the postal service have been infected from the virus being put onto packages and letters. While the threat of Cutaneous Anthrax to humans is real, experts don’t believe we have any reason to worry about it being used on large scale.

What Are The Symptoms Of Cutaneous Anthrax?

The effects of Cataneous Anthrax don’t show up right away, making it even harder to track the source. It takes about two weeks after exposure for symptoms to show up. Infected individuals will see what appears to be an insect bite. It will be red and itchy. The area may be sore and swollen. The area will be full of fluid. Once it ruptures, it dries in to a scab that is black in color because the skin under it is dead.  The name Anthrax is Greek for coal. Some individuals with Cutaneous Anthrax report swollen and sore lymph nodes, headache, nausea, and a high fever.

Treatment Of Cutaneous Anthrax

The best method of treatment for Cutaneous Anthrax is antibiotics such as Penicillin. Cipro is the most common antibiotic prescribed for patients who test positive for Cutaneous Anthrax. The antibiotics need to be taken for sixty days. Most people who come into contact with Cutaneous Anthrax are cured with the treatment of antibiotics. However, several people have died after contracting this virus, but statistics show less than 1% of those who contract Cutaneous Anthrax die as a result. The media sensationalized the death risks of Cutaneous Anthrax during the scares that took place in 2001, giving the general public some very incorrect information about this virus.

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