A Simple Guide to Anthrax

A Simple Guide to Anthrax

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What is Anthrax?

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Anthrax is a disease caused by a gram positive spore forming bacterium that primarily infects mainly animals but can cause serious illness in humans if one is exposed to these spores.

It can affect the skin, the intestines or the lungs.

What are the different forms of Anthrax?

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1.Cutaneous anthrax is the most common type of anthrax.

It occurs 1-2 days after the skin is scratched and exposed to soil, animal parts or faeces containing the spores of Anthrax.

The affected skin forms an itchy black swelling that becomes a blister that breaks into an ulcer.

The bacteria can then enter the bloodstream and cause septicaemia (blood poisoning). 20% of cases will die if they are not treated promptly.

2.Intestinal anthrax happens 2 to 5 days after one eats contaminated meat containing the spores.

The intestinal lining breaks and bleeding occurs. The victim feels nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and suffers from severe abdominal pain, bloody vomiting and diarrhoea.

Blood poisoning occurs and the loss of blood can result in shock.

25% to 75% of cases will eventually die.

3.Inhalation anthrax is the least common of the 3 types.

However it is the most serious form of anthrax because the spores are inhaled into the lungs.

Flu-like symptoms occur for 2 to 3 days with fever, cough and then breathlessness starts.

Then the lungs starts to bleed internally like a person drowning in his own blood. Death occurs rapidly most of the time.

This is the type that is used as a biological weapon by terrorists who will send the spores by envelopes to their victims.

What is the treatment of Anthrax?

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The bacterium is easily killed by several antibiotics(penicillin,tetracycline etc), the most effective one being ciprofloxacin given intravenously or directly into the bloodstream.

Oral ciprofloxacin is also effective in less severe cases.

There is no need to take antibiotics to prevent anthrax.

Doing so may cause the bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic and make it more difficult to treat.

A cell-free vaccine has been developed for people who are at risk of contracting anthrax. This vaccine may be mass produced in the future for common use.

Although anthrax is a much feared disease, it can be prevented and treated with careful and alert practices.

Its use as a biological warfare agent is currently very limited with very effective counter measures in place.

A Simple Guide to Hepatitis B

A Simple Guide to Hepatitis B
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What is Hepatitis B?-
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Hepatitis B is a serious chronic inflammatory liver disease caused by a virus which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV).

What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis B?
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Most of the time a person with HBV infection has no symptoms at all.
Older people are more likely to have symptoms.

If you have symptoms, they might include :
1.jaundice (yellowing of the skin and white of eye)

2.dark coloured urine

3.pale stools

4.prolonged tiredness

5.nausea and vomiting.

6.loss of appetite

7.abdominal pain

8.fever and joint pains

How is the diagnosis of Hepatitis made?
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A blood test is the only way to diagnose hepatitis B.
You may be infected with HBV and may even spread it to others without knowing it.

HBV can be spread from an infected mother to her infant during birth.
To prevent spread of HBV from infected mothers to their infants, every woman should have her blood tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during each pregnancy.

What is the treatment of Hepatitis B?
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There are no medications available for recently acquired (acute) HBV infection. There are antiviral drugs eg interferon which may be able to treat chronic HBV infection.

Who is at risk of getting Hepatitis B?
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For those who has never been immunised or do not have antibodies from having a previous Hepatitis B infection, you are at risk of Hepatitis B infection.

The Hepatitis B virus is is not spread through food or water, sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, coughing, sneezing, or skin contact.

HBV is spread by exposure to infected blood from skin puncture or contact with mucous membranes.

It is spread by:
1.sexual contact with an infected person

2.an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth

3.a Hepatitis B infected person's blood during blood transfusion

4.sharing of injection needles among drug abusers

5.accidental cuts to the skin by a nail clipper, shaving blade or other instruments that are contaminated with a Hepatitis B infected person's blood

6.contact with an infected person's saliva or blood through cuts or sores in the mouth or skin. Kissing by itself do not spread HBV unless there is a cut in the lips.

7.during acupuncture, body or ear piercing and tattooing if the needles used are contaminated with Hepatitis B infected person's blood

8.have a job that involves contact with human blood or body fluids

What is the best prevention for Hepatitis B?
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Hepatitis B vaccine is the best prevention against hepatitis B.
If you do not have antibodies from a previous infection and if you are not a Hepatitis B carrier, you can get vaccinated against Hepatitis B and protect yourself from its complications.
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, for children and adolescents who were not vaccinated as infants, and for all unvaccinated adults who are at risk for HBV infection as well as any adult who wants to be protected against HBV infection.
The vaccine is safe.
It is also extremely effective provided you complete all 3 doses:
1st dose - at the appointed date
2nd dose - 1 month after the 1st dose
3rd dose - 5 months after the 2nd dose
A booster vaccination may be necessary after 5 years if the blood test showed a drop in immunity.

Infants born to infected mothers need to get hepatitis B vaccine and another shot call HBIG (hepatitis B immune globulin) soon after birth to prevent infection.

Besides vaccination, other ways to prevent transmission of HBV are:
1.avoid multiple sexual partners; keep to one sexual partner

2.Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HBV transmission.

3.Do not inject illegal drugs. Never share needles, syringes or drugs.

4.Do not share personal items like razors, toothbrushes or any other instruments that may cause tears to the skin and hence spread of any blood borne infection.

5.seek reliable operators for ear or body piercing, tattooing or acupuncture.

What happens if I am a Hepatitis B carrier?
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A simple blood test can tell if you are a carrier, are immune or need immunisation.
If you are found to be a carrier, then:
1.you will need to see your doctor every 6 months to a year for tests to check your liver function and blood alpha-foetoprotein which is a cancer marker for liver cancer

2.your immediate family members should go for blood tests.
They should get immunised if they are not immune.
If they are carriers too, they should go for regular follow up with the doctor.

3.you should take precautions to prevent the spread of hepatitis B to your family and loved ones

4.you should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as they may further increase the risk of damage to your liver

5.inform your doctor and dentist that you are a carrier

6.do not donate blood, organs or sperm

7.know the symptoms and signs of the various complications and see your doctor at once if you experience any of them.

What are the Complications of Hepatitis B ?
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Hepatitis B can lead to complications like:
1.acute hepatitis (episode of liver inflammation)

2.chronic hepatitis (permanent liver inflammation)

3.liver cirrhosis (permanent scarring and hardening of the liver)

4.liver failure (liver is unable to function,
resulting in toxins accumulating in body)

5.liver cancer

Those who recover completely from Hepatitis B infection become immune to the disease.
1 in 10 people who get infected with the virus become carriers who then carries the Hepatitis B virus permanently in his body.

Hepatitis B carriers seldom show any symptoms but they can:

1.spread the disease to others
2.develop serious liver complications such as those mentioned above.

About 15%-25% of people with chronic HBV infection die prematurely from these complications.