Anthrax is a deadly infectious disease that may be transmitted to humans by infected animals or by biological warfare. There are three types of anthrax: cutaneous, inhalation, and gastrointestinal. Symptoms of cutaneous anthrax include a swollen glands, muscle ache, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a red-brown raised spot that enlarges, blisters, and hardens, forming an ulcer crater with black crust. Symptoms of inhalation anthrax are flu-like and may progress to respiratory distress, shock, coma, and death. Symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax include loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Treatment for cutaneous anthrax involves penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and ciprofloxin. Inhalation anthrax necessitates treatment with IV therapy with antibiotics.

Bioterrorism is a form of terrorism where there is the intentional release of biological agents such as viruses, germs, or bacteria. Diseases caused by bioterrorism agents include anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, brucellosis, food poisoning, Q fever, ricin toxin poisoning, cholera, epidemic typhus, viral encephalitis, XDR TB, and MDR TB.

Ciprofloxacin (generic name), Cipro, Cipro XR (brand names) is an antibiotic prescribed for the treatment of many skin, lung, airway, bone, and joint infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Examples include:

• Complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Gonorrhea
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Typhoid fever
• Chronic bronchitis
• Infectious diarrhea caused by E. coli, Shigella, and Campylobacter jejuni.
• Anthrax patients
• TB (tuberculosis)

Cipro should not be used for treating uncomplicated UTIs, acute bacterial chronic bronchitis, or acute bacterial sinusitis because of the serious side effects it may cause.

The FDA has issued a warning for fluoroquinolenes like Cipro because they have been associated with some serious adverse reactions, for example:

• Tendinitis or tendon rupture, particularly the Achilles tendon
• It can worsen weakness in people with a disease called myasthenia gravis.
• Peripheral neuropathy
• CNS problems, for example, nervousness, agitation, dizziness, paranoia, hallucinations, nightmares, and anxiety

Common side effects of include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Rash

Other possible serious side effects and adverse events include:

• Liver dysfunction or failure
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Renal failure (kidney failure)
• Cardiac arrest
• Hepatitis
• Stroke
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Leukopenia
• C. difficile associated diarrhea.
• Respiratory failure
• Anaphylaxis (shock)

This medicine interacts with drugs, for example:

• Diabetes medications
• theophylline (Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-24, Theolair)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
• Iron salts (sulfates)
• Sevelamer (Renagel)
• sildenafil (Viagra)

Doctors don't know if Cipro is safe to take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The dosage of this drug depends upon the type of bacterial infection you have. The brand name Proquin XR has been discontinued and is no longer available in the US.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found:

• on bedpans,
• furniture,
• toilet seats,
• linens,
• telephones,
• stethoscopes,
• fingernails,
• rings,
• floors,
• infants'
• rooms, and
• diaper pails.

They even can be carried by pets. Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. Treatment for C. difficile colitis includes:

• hydration,
• replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies,
• discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and
• using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.

Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include viral, bacterial, or parasite infection, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and drugs. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.

Important information about your drugs should be reviewed prior to taking any prescription drug. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precauctions, dosage, what the drug is used for, what to do if you miss a dose, how the drug is to be stored, and generic vs. brand names.

There are many types of E. coli (Escherichia coli ). Pathogenic E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead to sepsis. E coli O157:H7 (EHEC) causes bloody diarrhea and colitis. Complications of E. coli infection include hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. E coli O157:H7 commonly is due to eating raw or undercooked hamburger or raw milk or dairy products.

Folliculitis is a skin condition that causes small red bumps to form around the hair follicles. Skin bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas may infect the follicles. Treatment involves over-the-counter bacterial washes, topical antibiotics, and/or topical steroids.

An infection of the hair follicles of the skin. See a picture of Folliculitis and learn more about the health topic.

Jock itch is an itchy red rash that appears in the groin area. The rash may be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. People with diabetes and those who are obese are more susceptible to developing jock itch. Antifungal shampoos, creams, and pills may be needed to treat fungal jock itch. Bacterial jock itch may be treated with antibacterial soaps and topical and oral antibiotics.

Legionellosis is an infection caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium. There are two forms of legionellosis: Pontiac fever and Legionnaires' disease, which is the more severe of the two infections. Symptoms of Pontiac fever include fever, headache, muscle aches, and chills. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include cough, chills, fever and sometimes muscle aches, headaches, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and severe pneumonia. While Pontiac fever resolves on its own, Legionnaires' disease must be treated with antibiotics.

Peptic or stomach ulcers are ulcers are an ulcer in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Ulcer formation is related to H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, use of anti-inflammatory medications, and cigarette smoking. Symptoms of peptic or stomach ulcers include:

• Abdominal burning or hunger pain
• Indigestion
• Abdominal discomfort after meals

Treatment for stomach ulcers depends upon the cause.

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Causes of prostatitis include

• STDs,
• bacteria from urinary tract infections, or
• e. Coli.

Symptoms of prostatitis include

• painful or difficulty urinating;
• fever;
• chills;
• body aches;
• blood in the urine;
• pain in the rectum;
• groin, abdomen, or low back;
• and painful ejaculation or sexual dysfunction.

Treatment for prostatitis depends on if it is a bacterial infection or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland.

Sinus infection (sinusitis) is caused by allergies, infection, and chemicals or other irritants of sinuses. Signs and symptoms are headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid) are present in the small intestine, but they are more like the bacteria that are found in the colon. There are many conditions associated with SIBO, including:

• Diabetes
• Scleroderma
• Crohn's disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

It has been theorized that SIBO may be responsible for the symptoms of at least some patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of SIBO include:

• Excess gas
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain

Treatment for SIBO can include:

• Antibiotics
• Probiotics
• Low FODMAP Diet

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.