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Anthrax FAQ. (Science).


Anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis  used to be a livestock disease. Now it has become a biological weapon. Here's thy rundown, according to scientists and government experts.

What is anthrax?

A potentially fatal bacterial disease that is transmitted in the form of tiny spores. In October, anthrax was mailed to the offices of U.S. Senator Tom Daschle and NBC NBC
 in full National Broadcasting Co.

Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network.
 anchorman Tom Brokaw.

How can people become infected?

Cutaneous anthrax, which infects through a scratch on the skin, accounts for 95 percent of usual cases. Two other forms are inhalation and gastrointestinal anthrax.

Is anthrax contagious?

No, it does not spread from person to person.

What are symptoms and treatment?

* Cutaneous anthrax results in a black scab as well as headache, fever, and nausea. It is the least severe form; death is rare with proper treatment. Penicillin and Cipro are the antibiotics effective against it.

* Gastrointestinal anthrax can lead to vomiting, loss of appetite loss of appetite Medtalk Anorexia, see there , nausea, and diarrhea; without antibiotics, the death rate is 25 to 60 percent.

*Inhalation anthrax inhalation anthrax Pulmonary anthrax, woolsorter's disease Pulmonology Occupational anthrax caused by inhalation of Brucella anthracis spores, affecting those exposed to aerosols during early processing of goat or other infected animal hair Clinical  causes severe breathing difficulty, shock, and coma; the deadliest form, it's often untreatable Un`treat´a`ble

a. 1. Incapable of being treated; not practicable.
 once symptoms occur.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes, but it takes repeated injections over 18 months to become effective.
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Publication:New York Times Upfront
Article Type:Brief Article
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Nov 12, 2001
Words:197
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