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Anthrax, Pediatric

Eimear Kitt, MB, BCh, BAO (NUI) and Andrew P. Steenhoff, MBBCh, DCH Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Bacillus anthracis is a spore-forming, aerobic gram-positive rod that can cause acute infection (anthrax) in humans and animals, and has the potential to be used as a biologic weapon...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Inhalational anthrax

    • Clinical presentation is a two-stage illness.

    • Initial symptoms are nonspecific and last 1 to 3 days. They include low-grade fever, dry cough, headache, vomiting, ch...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Direct physical contact with a substance alleged to be anthrax: 
  • Wash exposed skin and articles of clothing with soap and water.

  • Administer postexposure prophylaxis until the s...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Inhalational anthrax

    • Case fatality rates were previously estimated to be >85% after symptoms develop. However, early use of appropriate antibiotic therapy appears to improve su...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep.  2000;49(RR-15):1–20. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Akbayram S, Doǧ...

CODES

ICD9

  • 022.9 Anthrax, unspecified

  • 022.0 Cutaneous anthrax

  • 022.1 Pulmonary anthrax

  • 022.2 Gastrointestinal anthrax

  • 022.3 Anthrax septicemia

  • 022.8 Other specified manifestations of anthrax

ICD10

  • A22.9 Anthra...

FAQ

  • Q: Does the United States federal government have a plan in place if there were mass exposure to anthrax?

  • A: Yes. Under emergency plans, the federal government would ship appropriate antibiotics fr...

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