Anthrax: Symptoms & Signs

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

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