What are the different types of anthrax disease?
Cutaneous (skin): Cutaneous anthrax is marked by a boil-like lesion that typically forms an ulcer with a black center. While cutaneous anthrax infections account for about 95% of all human anthrax cases, there are two other rare forms of anthrax: inhalation and intestinal. Inhalation (lung): Initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax may resemble the common “flu” and include fever, muscle ache, mild cough, and chest pain. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Without immediate treatment, inhalation anthrax is usually fatal. Intestinal: This is the rarest form of anthrax disease. There has never been a documented case of intestinal anthrax in the United States. The intestinal form of anthrax may occur after a person eats uncooked or undercooked food that is contaminated with anthrax. It causes acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. The first symptoms of intestinal anthrax include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever. These sympto
