Anthrax: Mode of transmission, signs and symptoms of anthrax and types of anthrax-Studsaver

Anthrax: Mode of transmission, signs and symptoms of anthrax and types of anthrax

Anthrax is an acute bacteria notifiable infectious disease due to bacillus anthracis acquired through contact with infected animals or their products such as carcass, bones or skin usually by occupational exposure. Or a disease that affect sheep and cattle and may accidentally be inoculated into man especially those who work with hides. It is caused by spore forming organism called Bacillus anthracis.

the Incubation period is usually less than one week. It occurs mostly in workers who process hides, wool, agricultural workers and veterinarians who handle infected animals

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MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF ANTHRAX

By contact with tissues of infected animals

Flies and other insects may transmit from animals to man

Ingestion of spores on vegetation

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANTHRAX

Itching appears at the  exposed body surface usually the face in two to four days 

Lesion frequency appears at the site

Headache

Malaise

Joint pains

Oedema

Rise in temperature due to septicaemia

TYPES OF ANTHRAX

Cutaneous anthrax

Pulmonary/Inhalation anthrax

Gastro intestinal anthrax

CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX

It affects the skin. People with cut can be infected.

This is characterized by itching of an exposed skin surface followed by a lesion which becomes visible, vesiculated and within two to six days develops in a depressed black eschar(slough which forms after the destruction of living tissues by gangrene or infection). 

The area around the lesion is swollen or becomes oedematous and surrounded by vesicles. There is fever, malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhage and meningitis. Sometime septicaemia may occur leading to shock, cyanosis, sweating and collapse

PULMONARY INHALATION OR INHALATION ANTHRAX

When a person breathes in anthrax spores they can develop inhalation anthrax. People who work in places such as wool mills, slaughter houses may breathe in the spores when working with infected animals or contaminated animals products from infected animals.

Inhalation anthrax starts primarily in the lymph nodes in the chest before spreading throughout the rest of the body, ultimately causing severe breathing problems and shock.

 Anthrax inhalation is considered to be the most deadly form of anthrax. Infection usually develops within a week after exposure but can take up to two months. 

Its initial symptoms are mild, non-specific and resembling common upper respiratory infection. It occurs after inhalation of spores from hides or wool. It is characterized by fever, malaise, bronchitis and irritating cough.

GASTRO INTESTINAL ANTHRAX

Infection usually develops from 1-7 days after exposure .

This is not common and it is due to eating or drinking milk from infected animals. The signs and symptoms are nausea, vomiting diarrhea and weakness.

Death occur in this form but less than pulmonary.

Without treatment more than half of patients with gastro intestinal anthrax may die. However with proper treatment 60% of patients survive

DIAGNOSES OF ANTHRAX

This is based on the demonstration of anthrasis in indirect smears of the vesicular fluid cultures of the fluid from the vesicles

Laboratory investigation of blood, sputum, faeces and spinal fluids

TREATMENT OF ANTHRAX

Penicillin is the drug of choice  

Tetracycline 

Broad spectrum antibiotics may be used

NURSING CARE OF ANTHRAX

Isolate patient till lesions are bacteriologically free of anthrax bacilli

Patient must have complete bed rest

Vitals signs should be checked and recorded

A well balanced diet should be given

Steam sterilization of infected articles or burn if possible to destroy spores

Patients personal hygiene should be properly maintained.

Serve prescribed medication at the appropriate time.

PREVENTION OR CARE OF ANTHRAX

Notification of health authorities

Controlling the disease in animals by vaccination them annually 

Immunization of high risk persons

Education in personal cleanliness and mode of anthrax transmission of the patient , that is through washing, disinfecting of hide or wool of animals

Washing and disinfecting of hide or wool of animals prior to processing.

COMPLICATION OF ANTHRAX

Coetaneous abscess

Lymphadenopathy

Septic shock

Pleural effusion

Mediastinal enlargement