Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease. The infection normally affects animals, especially ruminants (such as goats, cattle, sheep, and horses).
There are four forms of disease that anthrax causes:
- cutaneous (skin) anthrax,
- inhalation anthrax,
- gastrointestinal (bowel) anthrax, and
- injection anthrax.
Signs and symptoms of anthrax depend on the type and can include a skin sore that is blistering, reddened, and hard. It typically forms a black scar called an eschar. Other associated symptoms and signs (dependent upon the type) can include
- chest pain,
- muscle pain,
- fever,
- malaise,
- respiratory distress,
- shortness of breath,
- coughing,
- bloody diarrhea,
- headache,
- itching,
- nausea,
- sore throat, or
- swollen lymph nodes.
Cause of anthrax
Infection with Bacillus anthracis bacteria causes anthrax. The infection spreads to humans by contact with infected animals or their products. The most common route of infection is through the skin.
Other anthrax symptoms and signs
- Black Scar (Eschar)
- Blistering, Reddened, or Hard Skin Sore
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Chest Pain
- Coughing
- Fever
- Headache
- Itching
- Malaise
- Muscle Pain
- Nausea
- Respiratory Distress
- Shortness of Breath
- Sore Throat
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
Main Article on Anthrax Symptoms and Signs

SLIDESHOW
Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments See SlideshowExamples of Medications for Anthrax Symptoms and Signs
- Cipro, Cipro XR (ciprofloxacin) Antibiotic Side Effects
- doxycycline (Vibramycin, Doryx)
- erythromycin (Ery-Tab, PCE)
- Levaquin (levofloxacin) Antibiotic
- Levaquin (levofloxacin) Side Effects, Warnings, and Drug Interactions
- Penicillin (Antibiotics)
- penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin L-A)
- Raxibacumab for Anthrax
- tetracycline (Sumycin)
From 
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