Wednesday October 17, 2001

Infection occurs only after significant exposure to anthrax spores, experts say

As fears spread about a potential outbreak of the anthrax bacteria, an expert at UMC says the human body is more immune to it than people think.

Dr. Harvey Meislin, acting head of emergency medicine department at University Medical Center, said the human body is fairly resistant to the bacteria.

"In order to be infected, you have to be exposed to a fairly large load," Meislin said.

Biochemistry professor Michael Cusanovich agreed that the threat is less than people believe, because it is not easy to transmit.

"None of the agents we've researched and worked with are particularly effective in terms of infecting a mass amount of people," he said. "Anthrax is not highly transmittable."

Cusanovich also said that agents such as smallpox would be much easier to spread than anthrax.

The most effective agents are easy to introduce, spread quickly and have a high fatality rate," he said. "Smallpox closely follows that model whereas anthrax doesn't."

Meislin said a person can become infected by inhaling, touching or swallowing the bacteria. Inhalation of anthrax - which could be in the form of a white- or tan-colored powder - is the most common way to die from the disease.

Meislin said initial symptoms of anthrax contracted by inhalation include flu-like systems.

"Heavy coughing, shortness of breath - you just don't feel good," he said. "Usually, after several days, it gets worse."

Later symptoms include coughing blood, chest pain and weakness. At that stage, the anthrax bacteria have multiplied to a point where the toxins can begin to destroy lung tissue.

But Meislin warned that just because a person comes down with flu-like symptoms, it does not mean they have contracted anthrax.

"If you feel like you have the flu, you probably have the flu," he said. "Unless you've had an exposure that you've apparently inhaled and you later get symptoms, get checked out."

Meislin said 95 percent of all patients who contract anthrax through skin cuts and abrasions recover.

"Don't go running to the hospital," he said. "Call the police."

Meislin said anthrax can only be transferred from one body to another via clothing that holds a residue from the initiating source. Another person who touches an area that may be carrying the bacteria could become infected as well.

A person who feels exposed to anthrax should shower, wash their clothes and isolate themselves from others until the proper tests have been conducted by law enforcement.

Anthrax, at first, has the look of a pimple on the skin. As it progresses, the pimple turns to a blister. The blister then turns black.

"Infected areas from anthrax are very treatable but it does take several weeks to heal," he said.

Areas on the skin infected by anthrax are normally not fatal and confine themselves to the area that was exposed.

The third way to contract anthrax is via the digestive system, and is usually contracted by eating meat. Meislin said the rarity of this form is because of stiff requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration.

Anthrax can be treated with most types of antibiotics.

"If you notice it (anthrax) early, it's very easily treated," he said.

People with heavy exposure would probably be put on antibiotics for two months.