Anthrax
什么是Anthrax？
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, bacteria that live in soil, on plants and in water, usually in a resting phase called a spore. Anthrax most commonly affects wild and domesticated animals such as sheep, livestock and goats when these animals inhale the bacterial spores or ingest the bacteria while grazing.
Anthrax does, however, affect people if they come in contact with infected animals or animal products. When the Anthrax bacteria enter the body, the bacteria become activated and begin to multiply, producing toxins that cause illness.
如何获得Anthrax？
There are four types of Anthrax infection, depending on how a person comes in contact with the bacteria. 1. An individual can become infected with Anthrax by coming in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products such as wool, meat or hides and being infected through an open cut or sore (cutaneous Anthrax).
- An individual can become infected by inhaling Bacillus anthracis spores (inhalation Anthrax).
- An individual can become infected by eating undercooked meat of infected animals not vaccinated against Anthrax and/or of animals not inspected before slaughter (gastrointestinal Anthrax).
- Cases of individuals becoming infected with Anthrax through injection of contaminated heroin (injection Anthrax) have also been documented.
Anthrax is not contagious; you cannot catch Anthrax from another infected individual.
易感性和抗性
All persons are susceptible, however those working around infected animals or contaminated animal products are at increased risk of contracting Anthrax.
症状是什么？
Anthrax symptoms vary based on the type of infection.
- Cutaneous/injection Anthrax symptoms include grouping of small blisters/sores that may be swollen and itchy and a sore with a black, painless center that may appear after the small blisters. Sores most often appear on neck, face, arms or hands.
- Inhalation Anthrax symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, cough, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, headache, tiredness and body aches.
- Gastrointestinal Anthrax symptoms include fever, chills, flushed face, swelling of the neck or neck glands, sore throat, nausea, vomiting (could include blood in vomit), diarrhea (could include blood in stool), headache and stomach pain.
预防措施
有3种可供人类使用的炭疽疫苗。它们在美国，英国和俄罗斯生产。但是，这些疫苗通常在大多数国家/地区不可用。一般而言，该疫苗是专为军事用途或平民（通常是18至65岁之间，没有怀孕或哺乳的人）而使用，这种人感染该疾病的风险增加，例如实验室工作人员，农民和兽医等。
处理
The individual should seek medical care when they suspect that they have been exposed to Anthrax, even before symptoms appear. Early treatment significantly improves recovery outcomes. If left untreated, Anthrax can spread throughout the body and cause severe illness or death.
Diagnosis of Anthrax can be done by measuring Bacillus anthracis antibodies in the blood. Testing for Bacillus anthracis in a sample of blood, spinal fluid, respiratory secretions or through a skin lesion swab, can also be used to diagnose an Anthrax infection. Additionally, diagnosis of inhalation Anthrax can be done by x-ray.
An antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics are used to treat Anthrax. In addition, antitoxins can be used to eliminate Anthrax toxins produced in the body.
Often cutaneous Anthrax can be treated without hospitalization, however, gastrointestinal, injection or inhalation Anthrax are more serious forms and likely require hospitalization.
After exposure to and recovery from Anthrax, vaccination against Anthrax may also be recommended to reduce the risk of any further infection.
药物
疫苗接种
它常见于哪里？
由于炭疽病在全世界范围内的家畜和野生动物中发生，因此，只要有人与受感染的动物或动物产品接触，人的炭疽感染就可能发生。但是，炭疽病最常见于中美洲和南美洲，撒哈拉以南非洲，中亚和西南亚，南部和东欧以及加勒比地区的农业地区，在这些地区牲畜没有常规接种炭疽疫苗。
