Symptoms of anthrax
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The incubation period of anthrax is usually 2-3 days, rarely it can last up to 6-8 days or be reduced to several hours.
Isolate localized and generalized forms of anthrax. The most common is the localized (cutaneous) form of the disease.
Cutaneous form of anthrax. At the entrance gate of the pathogen appears reddish stain, quickly turning into a papule of copper-red color, accompanied by itching. A few hours later, the vesicle is formed in the place of the papule, its contents are serous at first, then it becomes dark, bloody. Often patients due to severe itching comb the pustule, less often it bursts itself, a sore is formed. From the surface of the sore there is abundant serous-hemorrhagic exudation, "daughter" vesicles are formed, which, when opened, cause the eccentric growth of the ulcer. At the site of the pustule, a rapidly growing black and growing scab is formed. Scabs merge with each other and form a dark, firm, often slightly concave and crooked crust. At this time, under the scab, an infiltrate develops in the form of a crimson shaft, which rises above the level of healthy skin, and edema is added, which sometimes grabs large areas, especially in areas with loose subcutaneous tissue (face). In the affected area, pain is almost not felt, injections are painless.
In the future, regional lymphadenitis is attached to the cutaneous form of anthrax.
Gastrointestinal form of anthrax: sharp cutting pains in the abdomen are characteristic, nausea, bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, intestinal paresis soon join. Sibiriazvennoe defeat of the intestine leads to irritation of the peritoneum, effusion, perforation and peritonitis.
Pulmonary form of anthrax: dyspnea, chest pain, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, pallor of the skin, dyspnea serous or serous-haemorrhagic sputum occur early. In the lungs, dullness of percussion sound in the lower parts is determined, dry and wet rales are heard, and pleurisy often occurs. Sputum bacteria are found in large quantities in the sputum. With a progressive increase in cardiovascular failure, a fatal outcome occurs.
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