Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

Medical professionals can diagnose anthrax by taking samples from the skin sores, blood, or other bodily fluids of people who are believed to have been exposed to B. anthracis. These samples are then sent to a lab to check whether the person has the bacteria in his or her system.

If anthrax is caught early, it is almost always successfully treated with antibiotics. If a person is known to have been exposed to B. anthracis but has no signs or symptoms of the disease, antibiotics may be given (after exposure) to prevent the disease from occurring. Although there is a vaccine for anthrax, in the United States it is currently only recommended for people who are at risk of coming into contact with B. anthracis. They include people who work with B. anthracis in laboratories, people who handle potentially infected animal products, and U.S. military personnel. The vaccine is not given routinely to people in the United States and it hasn’t been studied for use in people younger than 18.

Diagnosis
Anthrax is usually diagnosed by isolating the bacterium from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory discharges.

Treatment
People with anthrax should be treated promptly with antibiotics. To be effective, treatment should be started early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Prevention
When travelling to countries where anthrax is common and vaccination levels of animal herds are low, avoid contact with livestock and animal products. Avoid eating meat that has not been properly slaughtered and cooked. Do not buy items made of goat hair or goat skin.