Anthrax Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Anthrax, Learn How it Spreads - How it is Treated.
What it is and what you can do about protecting yourself?
Herbal Remedies has provided this informative research.
Other Common Names:
- Bacillus anthracis
- B. anthracis
- Malignant pustule
- Malignant edema
- Woolsorter disease
- Ragpicker disease
If you have been reading the headlines of Anthrax newspaper articles you are probably concerned about Anthrax, please take the time to read this important information.
Herbal Remedies has an excellent question and answer page (mostly excerpted from material at the Center for Disease Control) to address just what anthrax is, how it is transmitted, what the symptoms of anthrax are after exposure, where it is normally found, how to prevent an anthrax infection and more.
Should you be vaccinated for anthrax, and what is the protocol for anthrax vaccination? Read about current traditional treatments for anthrax as well as Natural Antibiotics, Disinfectants, and Immune System Support Supplements to protect and strengthen your system naturally.
Learn more about anthrax at: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases.
If you feel you may have been exposed to anthrax, please visit the Center for Disease Control website for even more information on the subject.
Q. What is anthrax?
A. Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic lower vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
Q. Why has anthrax become a current issue?
A. Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense (DoD) has begun mandatory vaccination of all active duty military personnel who might be involved in conflict.
Q. How common is anthrax and who can get it?
A. Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals. These include South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected with B. anthracis (industrial anthrax). Anthrax in wild livestock has occurred in the United States.
Q. How is anthrax transmitted?
A. Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.
Q. What are the symptoms of anthrax?
A. Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within 7 days.
Cutaneous or through the skin: Most (about 95%) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal.
Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25 percent to 60 percent of cases.
Q. Where is anthrax usually found?
A. Anthrax can be found globally. It is more common in developing countries or countries without veterinary public health programs. Certain regions of the world (South and Central America, Southern and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East) report more anthrax in animals than others.
Q. Can anthrax be spread from person-to-person?
A. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur. Communicability is not a concern in managing or visiting with patients with inhalational anthrax.
Q. Is there a way to prevent infection?
A. In countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low, humans should avoid contact with livestock and animal products and avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Also, an anthrax vaccine has been licensed for use in humans. The vaccine is reported to be 93 percent effective in protecting against anthrax.
Q. What is the anthrax vaccine?
A. The anthrax vaccine is manufactured and distributed by BioPort, Corporation, Lansing, Michigan. The vaccine is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it contains no dead or live bacteria in the preparation. The final product contains no more than 2.4 mg of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. Anthrax vaccines intended for animals should not be used in humans.
Q. Who should get vaccinated against anthrax?
A. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following groups:
Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores. Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher should consider being vaccinated.) Military personnel deployed to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when it is used as a biological warfare weapon).
The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). Website
Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if absolutely necessary.
What is the Protocol for Anthrax Vaccination and What are the Reactions?
The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given 2 weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are recommended thereafter.
Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness and redness at the injection site. Severe local reactions are infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2 percent of recipients.
According to an LA Times article by Thomas H. Maugh II it is stated that "the vaccines now in use present a number of problems -- ranging from lack of manufacturing capacity to side effects -- that render large-scale vaccination programs problematic."
Anthrax vaccination of soldiers has produced reports of severe side effects, such as bleeding and thyroid malfunction, and has been linked to six deaths.
Fear of the vaccine is perhaps greater than fear of anthrax. As many as 400 members of the U.S. military have been court-martialed or have resigned rather than submit to the vaccination because of the perceived risks. Some physicians share their misgivings.
"You won't see me getting in line for the vaccine," says Dr. Meryl Nass, a longtime critic.
The vaccine is produced by only one manufacturer, BioPort Corp. of Lansing, Mich., and the technology is nearly 40 years old. Although the company is currently producing the vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration will not allow it to be shipped because of various deficiencies in quality control and manufacturing at the plant.
The vaccine is unusual in that it is not targeted at the bacterium itself, as are most vaccines, but at the toxin produced by the bacteria as they grow. That toxin produces the cellular damage that can lead to death from an anthrax infection.
The toxin has three major components: protective antigen, lethal factor and edema factor. When the toxin is released in the body, individual molecules of the protective antigen clump together on the surface of target cells to form a doughnut-shaped pore. This pore is then used by the other two components to enter the cell, where they are lethal.
The vaccine is designed to stimulate antibodies to the protective antigen, preventing it from attaching to cells. In theory, if the action of the toxin is blocked, then the immune system can eradicate the bacteria or they can be killed with antibiotics.
"We buy the individual some time to fight off the infection," said microbiologist Darrell Galloway of Ohio State University." Full article is at the LA Times Online.
Is There a Treatment for Anthrax?
Doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
Natural Antibiotics, Disinfectants, and Immune System Support Supplements The dietary supplements listed below have not been submitted for FDA approval as a new drug and therefore we can not claim that these dietary supplements are intended to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure anthrax, smallpox, or any other disease under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as amended by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.
Representatives of the dietary supplement industry have issued a joint news release stating that no dietary supplements have been "proven by the FDA" to treat or prevent anthrax. This is a joint statement of the American Herbal Products Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, National Nutritional Foods Association, and Utah Natural Products Alliance.
Natural Antibiotics, Disinfectants, and Immune System Support Supplements
These supplements will assist in strengthening your bodies immune system. The bodies immune system plays an important part in fighting off bacteria and other infections that may enter our systems.
Colloidal Silver - Natural Antibiotic: Colloidal Silver is a powerful antibiotic because it works as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that many bacteria, fungi and viruses use for their metabolism. Historically has been used in a colloidal form to kill over 650 disease causing organisms and bacteria.
Grapefruit Seed Extract Liquid Concentrate 2oz: Used topically as an antiseptic wound cleaner and to treat infections of the skin. Internally, the concentrate is useful as a supportive treatment for a wide variety of ailments, including Candida infections, sore throats, intestinal upset, etc. May also be used to purify drinking water when camping or traveling to foreign countries. It may be used as a surface disinfectant in place of commonly used cleaners like bleach or ammonia-based products.
First Defense: An Original Child Life Formula - 4oz: First Defense is the most complete and effective natural broad spectrum anti-infective formula available for infants and children. We have researched and hand-selected herbs and minerals known for their direct anti-bacterial, anti-viral and immune response stimulating properties. First Defense is completely safe and non-toxic for infants and children of all ages and can be used at the first sign of any acute symptom, e.g. cold, cough, flu, fever, sinusitis, sore throat or ear infection.
Colostrum 480mg - 120 Caps: Colostrum known for its powerful healing factors offers optimal health. Colostrum research proves a wide spectrum of immunoglobulins, antibodies, and accessory immune factors. Colostrum immune factors not only boost the underactive immune system but work toward regulating overactive immune system (allergies and auto-immune disease).
Colostrum 4 Kids w/Probiotics: Childlife Supports healthy digestion & the immune system. Colostrum is nature's first food for the immune system. ChildLife uses the finest bovine Colostrum that has been naturally harvested and especially prepared with Probiotics to enhance the health and vitality of your child's immune and digestive system.
Antibiotic Tincture (2 oz): Internal and External uses include: Cuts; Diptheria; Disinfectant; Fever; Glands - Infection; Gonorrhea; Impetigo; Impotence; Infection; Inflammation; Lymphatics.
Immune System Formula Tincture (2 oz): Helps to support and stimulate the immune system. Uses Include, Auto-immune Diseases; Blood; Cancer; Cold Sores; Cuts; Debility; Diabetes; Eczema; Leprosy; Meningitis (Spinal Meningitis) Ringworm; Shingles; Tumors; Venereal Disease; Yeast Infections.
I-AIDE Yew Formula 410mg - 60 Caps: I-Aide is ideal as a daily food supplement for excellent immune support as well as for promoting the rebuilding, enhancing and stimulating of immune function during periods of compromised immune strength.
Bee Propolis - 100 Caps 500mg: Natural Antibiotic; used for colds, flu, fever, and digestive disorders. A substance collected by honey bees containing phytotonizides believed to contain immunity factors that stimulates the body and gives it a natural resistance to diseases.
To rebuild the immune system the body often needs to experience a detox before it can fully benefit from supplementation. click the following link to read a three part report on body detoxing, and learn How to Detox Safely.
