Question 1

is anthrax in the soil all around us?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is found in soil and when animals come in contact can become infected and humans can infrequently become infected after coming into contact with infected animals.

Question 2

how many different types of anthrax are there?

Accepted Answer

1 germ/3-4 forms: There is one anthrax germ that produces human illness based on how it enters the body. Inhaled spores can produce pulmonary anthrax (terrorist act), eating raw meat or dairy from infected animals can produce mouth & throat or gastrointestinal anthrax.Spores that are scratched into the skin surface can produce a skin sore.See www.Bt.Cdc.Gov/agent/anthrax.

Question 3

what occurs if your body were exposed to anthrax?

Accepted Answer

Route of exposure: If anthrax spores are introduced into the skin, it causes a local sore and ulcer and mortality is limited. Eating contaminate meat causes gastro-intestinal infection with appreciable mortality. Inhalation of spores causes the most severe disease by affecting the lungs. See this site for more info.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: anthrax?

Accepted Answer

Anthrax: Bacillus microbe that is highly resistant to extreme environmental states.  Commonly occurs in livestock industry and has military potential in a weaponized state.  Leads to eschar formation on skin as large black area of dead flesh.

Question 5

why is anthrax so hard to kill?

Accepted Answer

Spores: Anthrax bacterial form spores with a thick coat and the spore form can remain dormant for years.

Question 6

is anthrax a serious health risk?

Accepted Answer

No: Historically antthrax has primarily been classified as a zoonotic infection, because it was usually found in farm animals and those who worked with them.  Even at that there have beem few cases.  As a biological weapon it is threatening, but even with exposure it takes time to develop and treatment is effective.  Also, it is difficult to spread it effectively on a mass
basis.

Question 7

is my hookah poisoned with anthrax?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: But using tobacco is a very bad idea.

Question 8

how is anthrax spread? is it contagious?

Accepted Answer

Contact with spores: Anthrax is not spread person to person! as we saw in 2001, spores that were sent thru the mail as a terrorist act can be inhaled & cause pulmonary anthrax. Short of this exposure, spores can be ingested on contaminated (uncooked) food and cause infection from the base of the tongue thru the GI tract. It can also cause a painless sore on the skin. See www.Bt.Cdc.Gov/agent/anthrax.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of anthrax poison?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial infection: Anthrax is a bacterial infection with three major types of manifestations, in order or severity, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and pulmonary.  Pulmonary infection, once it becomes apparent as pneumonia is usually lethal.  Gi type causes severe bloody diarrhea and skin forms presents as an ulcer with fever.

Question 10

who should be vaccinated against anthrax?

Accepted Answer

Military & lab work: People at risk for contracting anthrax should be immunized against it. Currently certain military personnel, people who work with anthrax in labs, people who work with imported animal hides or furs from areas of high levels of anthrax, and veterinarians working in areas (outside of usa) with high levels of anthrax.

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