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Anthrax
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Anthrax

Anthrax is a rare bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that primarily affects animals but can infect humans through contact with infected animals or spores, and early antibiotic treatment is usually effective.

Overview

Anthrax is caused by the soil‑dwelling bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Although it is uncommon in humans, it gained public attention during the 2001 bioterror attacks in the United States, where spores were deliberately mailed, resulting in five deaths and 22 illnesses.

Forms of Disease

  • Cutaneous – affects the skin; infection can occur when spores enter through cuts or open sores.
  • Inhalation – affects the lungs; acquired by breathing in bacterial spores.
  • Gastrointestinal – affects the digestive system; results from eating meat contaminated with the bacteria.

Transmission & Risk Factors

Humans typically acquire anthrax through direct contact with infected animals, their wool, meat, or hides. Occupational exposure (e.g., veterinarians, farmers, laboratory workers) and handling contaminated animal products increase risk. The disease is far more common in livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats than in people.

Diagnosis

Early recognition is critical because symptoms may be nonspecific. Laboratory testing of blood, skin lesions, or respiratory samples confirms the presence of Bacillus anthracis. Prompt diagnosis enables timely treatment.

Treatment & Management

When identified early, anthrax is usually curable with antibiotics. A vaccine exists and is administered to military personnel and others at high occupational risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

nthrax is not typically contagious from person to person. The bacteria do not spread through casual contact, respiratory droplets, or shared surfaces in the way that influenza or common colds do. However, if a person has cutaneous anthrax, the open lesion can harbor bacteria, so standard hygiene practices, such as covering the wound and washing hands thoroughly, are recommended. Household members do not need to be quarantined or treated prophylactically unless they have had direct contact with the patient's bodily fluids or the source of the original infection.
In the early phase, inhalation anthrax presents with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, chills, and mild cough. The critical warning signs of progression to the severe, often fatal stage include sudden onset of high fever, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, and shock. Imaging may show widening of the mediastinum and pleural effusions. If a patient with a history of potential spore exposure develops these respiratory symptoms, it is a medical emergency requiring immediate isolation and aggressive antibiotic therapy.
Yes, exposure does not always lead to infection, particularly if the spores do not successfully enter the body through a break in the skin or are not inhaled in sufficient quantity. Bacillus anthracis spores are extremely resilient and can remain viable in the soil or on surfaces for decades. This long-term viability is why decontamination of environments where spores have been released is a complex and prolonged process, and why individuals with occupational exposure must remain vigilant for potential delayed symptoms.
Cutaneous anthrax typically begins as a small, painless papule that evolves into a vesicle and then a characteristic black eschar (a dry, necrotic scab) surrounded by significant edema. Unlike typical bacterial skin infections, the lesion is often painless, and the surrounding swelling can be disproportionate to the size of the lesion. Patients may also experience regional lymph node swelling, but the absence of significant pain at the site is a key distinguishing feature from cellulitis or staphylococcal abscesses.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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