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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffAntibiotics are recommended to prevent infection in anyone exposed to the spores. Ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and levofloxacin (Levaquin) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for post-exposure prevention of anthrax in adults and children.
Anthrax vaccine
An anthrax vaccine for humans is available, but it's not 100 percent effective. The vaccine doesn't contain live bacteria and can't lead to infection, but it can cause side effects, ranging from soreness at the injection site to more-serious allergic reactions. The vaccine isn't recommended for children, pregnant women or older adults.
The vaccine isn't intended for the general public. Instead, it's reserved for military personnel, scientists working with anthrax and people in other high-risk professions.
Avoiding infected animals
If you live or travel in a country where anthrax is common and herd animals aren't routinely vaccinated, avoid contact with livestock and animal skins as much as possible. Also avoid eating meat that hasn't been properly cooked.
Even in developed countries, it's important to handle any dead animal with care and to take precautions when working with or processing imported hides, fur or wool.
- Anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/anthrax/. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Anthrax. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec14/ch172/ch172b.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Anthrax vaccine: What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-anthrax.pdf. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Treatment of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Ferri FF. Anthrax. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed April 30, 2011.
- Wilson K. Prevention of anthrax. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2011.
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