Living with Anthrax infection
An infection caused by a germ that lives in soil, which can affect the skin, lungs, or digestive system.
Understanding Anthrax infection
It affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats more often than people. People can get it from contact with infected animals, wool, meat, or hides. There are three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation (lungs), and gastrointestinal (digestive system). GARD says antibiotics often cure it when it is diagnosed early, and a vaccine is available for people in the military and others at high risk.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition, but its summary describes the three forms:
- Skin form: from touching the germ through cuts or sores
- Lung form: from breathing in spores of the germ
- Digestive form: from eating infected meat
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says anthrax is caused by the germ Bacillus anthracis. People get it from contact with infected animals or their products, by breathing in spores, or by eating infected meat.
Also known as: anthrax; bacillus anthracis caused disease or disorder; bacillus anthracis disease or disorder; bacillus anthracis infectious disease; black baine; charbon
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Anthrax infection.
Explore research for Anthrax infection
Explore actively recruiting Anthrax infection studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Anthrax infection with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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