Anthrax is a potentially deadly disease caused by the spore forming bacteria Bacillus Antrhacis. Anthrax can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans.
There are (3)three types of Anthrax. Inhalational Anthrax, which is the most deadly, Gastrointestinal Anthrax, and Cutaneous Anthrax.
Inhalational Anthrax is contracted by inhaling spores from the bacteria. Contracting the disease after inhaling Anthrax can take as little as one to seven days and up to sixty days. Symptoms may mimic those of upper respiratory infections or the flu including fever, sore throat, muscle aches, and general malaise.
Gastrointestinal Anthrax is usually contracted within one to seven days after ingesting the bacteria. In the past this occurred most often when eating undercooked meats. This can generally be prevented by washing and cooking meats thouroughly. Symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, abdomial pain, vomiting blood, and bloody diarrhea.
Cutaneous Anthrax is contracted one to twelve days after skin comes into contact with the bacteria. Symptoms include lesions on the skin.
Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics but treatment must be started soon after exposure and prior to cntraction of the disease to be effective.
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Smallpox is an infection caused by Variola Virus which was eliminated from the world in 1977. The incubation period is about 12 days following an exposure. Initial symptoms include high fever, fatigue, and head and back aches. A characteristic rash, most prominent on the face, arms, and legs follows in 2-3 days. The majority of patients with smallpox recover, but death occurs in up to 30% of cases.
Routine vaccination against Smallpox ended in 1972. The level of immunity, if any, among persons who were vaccinated before 1972 is uncertain; therefore, these persons are assumed to be susceptible. Vaccination against smallpox is not recommended to prevent the disease in the general public and is therefore not available.
Smallpox is spread from one person to another person by infected saliva droplets that expose a susceptible person having face-to-face contact with the ill person. Persons with smallpox are most infectious during the first week of illness.
There is no proven treatment for smallpox but research to evaluate new antiviral agents is ongoing.