Inhalation anthrax

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Bacteria

Inhalation anthrax

Respiratory system

Anthrax - inhalation

There are two primary modes of prevention of anthrax.

Vaccination has been developed and is given in a 6-dose series. This vaccine is available to select U.S. military personnel, but not the general public.  

For individuals who have been truly exposed to anthrax (but have no signs and symptoms of the disease), preventive antibiotics may be offered, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), penicillin, or doxycycline, depending on the particular strain of anthrax.

There is no known transmission of anthrax from person to person.People living with individuals with anthrax do not need antibiotics unless they have also been exposed to the same source of anthrax.

Reissman DB, Whitney EA, Taylor TH Jr, et al. One-Year Health Assessment of Adult Survivors of Bacillus anthracis Infection.JAMA. 2004;291:1994-1998.

Inglesby TV, O'Toole T, Henderson DA, et al. Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, 2002. JAMA.160;2002;287:2236-2252.

Review Date: 06/17/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.