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Antrax

What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis , which is housed in a hardy spore. The disease usually affects livestock, but — as the world has become fully aware — it also infects humans. A naturally occurring disease known since biblical times, anthrax has recently become a biological weapon of concern.
Anthrax occurs in three forms:
Cutaneous anthrax. This form infects the skin, causing a sore with a black center. It occurs when a cut, blister or other skin wound comes into contact with anthrax spores. Left untreated, up to 20 percent of cases of cutaneous anthrax progress to a dangerous bloodstream infection called septicemia, which can be fatal.
Intestinal anthrax. You can contract this form by consuming meat from an infected animal. About 25 percent to 60 percent of untreated cases of intestinal anthrax result in death.
Inhalation anthrax. This most deadly form of the disease occurs when you inhale enough anthrax spores to infect the lungs. Once the infection has spread, inhalation anthrax is fatal in about 90 percent of cases.
Fortunately, all three forms can be prevented or treated with antibiotics. However, to be most effective, treatment must begin early. An anthrax vaccine exists, but unlike antibiotics is in short supply.
What can you do to protect yourself and your family against anthrax? First, don't panic. The average American's risk of exposure to anthrax remains exceedingly low, despite recent anthrax cases in the United States beginning in October 2001. Second, arm yourself with information to fully understand this microscopic invader.
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"Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of anthrax vary depending on how the disease was contracted. People can contract any of three forms of anthrax. Signs and symptoms of the various forms are as follows:
Cutaneous anthrax. You can contract anthrax by contact of the bacterium with an open wound. Anthrax...