As you know, we’ve had to learn a lot more
recently about anthrax than we ever thought we’d need to.
This painful experience has taught us that the more you know
about this serious threat, the less terrifying it becomes.
NBC’s chief science correspondent, Bob Bazell, reports on
the top 10 things we all need to know about anthrax.

WHAT DOES ANTHRAX LOOK LIKE?

All the material that has tested positive so far has
been a brownish, grainy substance. Experts say this means it
is likely a crude preparation. A more sophisticated lab
could put it into a very fine white powder.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANTHRAX DISEASE?

More than 95 percent of cases are cutaneous or skin
infection. If bacterial spores get into the lungs, they can
cause the much rarer but much more deadly inhalation
disease.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SKIN EXPOSURE TO ANTHRAX?

It begins with a swollen area on the skin – similar
to a large insect bite. As we mentioned earlier, it swells
more over several days and eventually a black scab forms in
the center. Patients often have fever and a headache.

HOW DO I KNOW TO SUSPECT ANTHRAX?

There is very little reason to suspect you’ve been
exposed unless there has been a specific incident where you
live or work. That is why the public health system has to be
on alert for a possible attack.

HOW CLOSE TO ANTHRAX SPORES DO I HAVE TO BE TO BECOME
INFECTED?

Anthrax has to be inhaled in the lungs or pass
through a cut in the skin to cause disease – simply touching
them will not make you sick.

HOW LONG IS THE TIME FROM EXPOSURE TO INFECTION?

Anthrax symptoms usually appear in one to six days.

CAN ANTHRAX BE TRANSMITTED FROM PERSON TO PERSON?

No. Anthrax is not a contagious disease. You cannot
get it from someone else and you can’t give it someone else
if you have it.

CAN I GET ANTHRAX FROM EATING OR DRINKING?

Only very rarely. Only when people eat meat from
anthrax-infected animals. Otherwise it is not a threat in
water or food.

IF I SOMEHOW CONTRACT ANTHRAX CAN IT BE TREATED?

Yes, if anthrax is treated in the first few days for
the inhalation form or the first weeks for the skin form
it is almost always curable.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?
We’ve heard a lot about the antibiotic Cipro. But it’s important
to reiterate that many common antibiotics including penicillin and
tetracycline are effective against anthrax.