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Medical Author:

Michael C. Fishbein, MD

Michael C. Fishbein, MD

Dr. Fishbein received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Illinois. He completed a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Harbor General Hospital/UCLA Medical Center. He is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is anthrax?
• What causes anthrax?
• How is anthrax contracted?
• How common is anthrax?
• How long is the incubation period with anthrax?
• What kinds of diseases does anthrax cause?
• How is the diagnosis made of anthrax?
• How is anthrax treated?
• How can anthrax be prevented?
• Anthrax At A Glance
• Anthrax Index

Public-health measures to prevent contact with infected animals are invaluable. There is a vaccine available for people at high risk (such as veterinarians, laboratory technicians, employees of textile mills processing imported goat hair, and members of the armed forces). The Department of Defense and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working very hard to prevent a bioterrorist attack and to be prepared to deal with the consequences if one occurs. For anthrax and other infectious diseases, vaccines with greater efficacy and fewer side effects are under development. Currently, most vaccines are given by injection into fat or muscle below the skin. Early studies in experimental animals are showing promise for an oral vaccine for anthrax. Obviously, a pill is easier to take than a shot, and the pill may even be a safer and more effective route of administration.

• Anthrax is an infection by bacteria transmitted from animals.
• Anthrax causes skin, lung, and bowel disease and can be deadly.
• Anthrax is diagnosed by cultures from infected tissues.
• Anthrax is treated by antibiotics.
• Anthrax can be prevented.
• Sadly, the greatest threat of anthrax today is through a bioterrorist attack.
• Federal, state, and local agencies are working hard to deal with this bioterrorist threat.