The following symptoms and complaints may indicate anthrax (anthrax):
Cutaneous anthrax
- Rapidly progressive inflammation of the skin with a papule (“nodule”), painless
- Further development into blisters (vesicles).
- These further develop into an ulcer (boil) with a black scab (splenic gangrene carbuncle)
- Spread via the lymph possible
Pulmonary anthrax
- Initial symptoms similar to those of a flu-like infection
- After a few days, high fever
- If necessary, thoracic pain (chest pain).
Intestinal anthrax
- Abdominal pain/abdominal pain
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- Nausea (nausea)/vomiting
- Meteorism (flatulence)
- Bloody diarrhea (diarrhea)
- Fever
Oral Pharyngeal Anthrax
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Injection anthrax
- Severe edema (water retention)
- Compartment syndrome – increase in pressure in a muscle compartment that can lead to damage to vessels, nerves, and soft tissues
- Necrotizing fasciitis – foudroyant life-threatening infection of the skin, subcutis (subcutaneous tissue) and fascia with progressive gangrene; often involves patients with diabetes mellitus or other diseases that lead to circulatory disorders or decreased immune defenses
Anthrax meningitis (can develop from all forms).
- High fever
- Acute onset of headache
- Confusion
- Muscle pain
- Tremor
