Anthrax - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Anthrax is an infectious disease that is transmitted from livestock. A person can get anthrax if: touching or eat meat animals affected by anthrax.

Anthrax is a serious and rare disease. This disease is caused by bacteria Bacillus anthracis. To date, there are no studies showing that the bacteria that causes anthrax can be transmitted between humans.

Symptoms of Anthrax

Symptoms of anthrax vary, depending on the route the bacteria enter into a person's body. Below are some of the symptoms of anthrax which are differentiated based on the mode of transmission:

Skin anthrax

This anthrax causes the appearance of many skin bumps that can be itchy. These lumps most often appear on the face, neck, and arms. Furthermore, the lump can turn into a black ulcer that does not cause pain.

Digestive anthrax

Symptoms of digestive anthrax or gastrointestinal anthrax are nausea and vomiting, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, decreased appetite, headache, fever, and a lump in the neck. When the condition gets worse, the patient may experience diarrhea and bloody stools.

Respiratory anthrax

Early symptoms of this type of anthrax resemble those of the flu, such as fever, painful swallowing, muscle aches, and fatigue. Further symptoms range from shortness of breath to shock. Respiratory anthrax can cause inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

When hcurrent to dokter

Anthrax is a rare disease. However, if you work in an environment where there is a possibility of exposure to anthrax, then you will need to get vaccinated.

Immediately consult a doctor if you feel the symptoms of anthrax as described above, to get further examination and appropriate treatment, especially when working in a livestock environment or after eating undercooked beef.

Causes of Anthraks

Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, which are bacteria that are normally present in the soil. These bacteria can attack grass-eating animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep, and horses.

Anthrax bacteria can be spread from animals to humans (zoonosis) when a person touches the skin or fur of an infected animal, eats undercooked animal flesh, or inhales anthrax bacteria.

To make it clearer, here are some of the causes of anthrax which are divided according to how it spreads:

Skin anthrax

A person who has an open wound on the skin can be exposed to the anthrax bacteria. This anthrax bacteria comes from the skin, fur, bones, or flesh of infected animals. This type of anthrax is harmless, and usually develops 1-7 days after a person is exposed.

Digestive anthrax

This type of anthrax occurs when a person eats meat that has been infected, so the anthrax bacteria will enter the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal tract infections due to anthrax only occur 1-7 days after a person is exposed to the bacteria.

anthrax respiration

This anthrax is the most dangerous anthrax. A person can become infected with this type of anthrax by inhaling pollen (spores) of the anthrax bacteria, such as when processing fur or skin from livestock. Infections due to anthrax usually only develop after 7 days to 2 months after a person is exposed.

In addition to the three modes of transmission above, anthrax can also be transmitted to injecting heroin users. This type of anthrax is only found in continental European countries, and does not occur in Indonesia. Looking at the mode of transmission, there are several factors that can increase a person's infection with anthrax, including:

  • Doing activities in areas with a history of anthrax.
  • Having a job processing skin, fur, or meat from farm animals, or caring for animals.
  • Anthrax researcher in the laboratory.
  • Have a job as a veterinarian, especially those who handle farm animals.

Until now there has been no research showing that anthrax can be transmitted from one person to another. However, it is possible that someone who comes in contact with a cut on the skin of someone infected with anthrax can become infected as well.

Diagnosis of Anthraks

In diagnosing anthrax, the doctor will first ask the symptoms that appear and do a physical examination. If anthrax is suspected, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a series of tests, such as:

  • skin test

    The doctor will take a sample of fluid or skin from the blister, which is suspected to be an entry point for bacteria, to be examined in a laboratory.

  • blood test

    The doctor will take the patient's blood to determine the presence of anthrax bacteria in the blood.

  • Rontchest gene

    A chest X-ray is done to look for lung abnormalities, which can be caused by inhaled anthrax.

  • Inspection feces

    The doctor may request a sample of the patient's stool to check for the presence of anthrax bacteria in the stool.

  • Dolphin puncturel

    In a lumbar puncture procedure, a needle is inserted into the spinal cleft to collect spinal fluid. This fluid will then be examined in a laboratory.

Anthrax Treatment

Treatment of anthrax is more effective if done as soon as possible. The doctor will give a combination of a number of antibiotics, such as penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin to maximize treatment. The success rate of treatment is generally determined by the age factor, the patient's general health condition, and the area of ​​the infected body part.

Anthrax Complications

If not treated quickly, anthrax can lead to serious complications. Complications that can occur are inflammation of the lining of the brain and spine (meningitis), which can then cause heavy bleeding and lead to death.

Anthrax Prevention

Anthrax is prevented by avoiding the factors that trigger the transmission of anthrax. Some steps that can be taken are:

  • Make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked before eating.
  • Have an anthrax vaccination, especially if you are at risk of contracting anthrax.
  • Avoid interaction with animals infected with anthrax.