Page 433 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

FIG. 13-1 Anthrax. (From Swartz, 2010.)

Box 13-6

Anthrax: Transmission and Symptoms

Skin

Spores enter the skin through cuts and abrasions and are contracted by
handling contaminated animal skin products.
Infection starts with an itchy bump like a mosquito bite that progresses to a
small liquid-filled sac.
The sac becomes a painless ulcer with an area of black, dead tissue in the
middle.
Toxins destroy surrounding tissue.

Gastrointestinal

Infection occurs following the ingestion of contaminated undercooked meat.
Symptoms begin with nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting.
The disease progresses to severe abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe
diarrhea.

Inhalation

Infection is caused by the inhalation of bacterial spores, which multiply in the
alveoli.

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