Anthrax Treatments May Cause More Harm Than Good

After the events of Sept. 11 occurred, millions of Americans became aware of the threats of bioterrorism on the country. Specifically, the threat of anthrax infections became a predominant scare. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) described anthrax as an acute infection that is caused by a bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Additionally, the CDC reports that most anthrax infections occur because of contact with an infected animal, not through a bioterrorism attack. Animals that may carry the bacteria are:

* cattle

* goats

* sheep

* camels

* antelopes

How is Anthrax Developed?

There are three types of anthrax that can develop. The three types of anthrax categories, for which there are prospective symptoms characterizing each, are: either intestinal, cutaneous or inhalation anthrax infections. Cutaneous anthrax infections are among the most common types of infections that occur, accounting for nearly 95 percent of all anthrax cases. Commonly, an individual with an open wound or abrasion will come into contact with:

* animal skin

* anthrax-infected wool

* contaminated animal hides

* leather

* infected animal hair, especially goat hair of
infected animals

Once an individual becomes infected through cutaneous exposure of an anthrax infection, they will likely show signs of the following symptoms:

* raised itchy bumps

* painless ulcers on skin between 1-3 centimeters in diameter

* ulcers eventually develop black necrotic area in center

* edema and swelling of tissue

* death, although only occurs in 20 percent of untreated cases

Most individuals in the United States are concerned with developing symptoms of inhaled anthrax through bioterrorist attacks. Unfortunately, inhaled anthrax commonly results in death and, according to the CDC, "even with aggressive antibiotic and supportive therapy 45 percent of inhalation anthrax cases" can become fatal. Signs of inhaled anthrax include:

* common cold symptoms

* severe breathing problems

* shock

* death

Finally, intestinal anthrax, which is caused by the consumption of anthrax-infected meat and results in death nearly 25 to 60 percent of the time, is characterized by the following:

* nausea

* loss of appetite

* vomiting

* fever

* vomiting of blood

* abdominal pain

* severe diarrhea

* lesions/soreness in throat

* swelling of neck and lymph glands

* difficulty swallowing

Treatments for Anthrax

Individuals who may be at risk for developing an anthrax infection can receive the anthrax vaccine, which is developed by BioPort. The vaccine is a "cell-free filtrate" meaning that it does not have dead or live anthrax bacteria in it.

Additional treatments, however, will likely come in the form of an antibiotic. The following three antibiotics, according to the Mayo Clinic, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug (FDA) administration for treating anthrax and include:

* Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

* Doxycycline

* Penicillin

Side Effects of Cipro

While Cipro is one of the most recent treatments approved for use by the FDA in both children and adults, it has been associated with some severe side effects, especially tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture among both short- and long-term patients.

While the FDA approved Cipro for use within only a few months the FDA then increased the labeling of Cipro and the rest of the fluoroquinolone drug family to a black box warning, the harshest labeling given by the FDA. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) also advised patients of Cipro to watch for the following side effects, which may be a risk for some patients:

* nausea

* anxiety

* stomach pain vomiting

* indigestion

* diarrhea

* headache

* nervousness

* agitation

* difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep

* feelings of distrust

* nightmares/abnormal dreams

While the above side effects are commonly considered mild side effects of Cipro, the following list can be considered more serious side effects that are cause for consulting a physician. The serious side effects, as reported by the NLM include:

* rash, blisters, hives or itching

* tingling/swelling of face, neck, throat, tongue,
lips, eyes, hands, feet or ankles

* difficulty breathing, swallowing

* hoarseness

* fainting

* fever

* joint/muscle pain

* unusual bruising/bleeding

* flu-like symptoms

* seizures/uncontrollable shaking

* jaundice of skin

* pain in stomach/loss of appetite

* dizziness/double vision

* confusion

* pulsating sounds in head/ringing in the ears

* numbness

* depression/suicidal thoughts

* hallucinations

Overcoming Anthrax and Cipro Side Effects

While anthrax infections are serious and potentially fatal conditions, consuming an antibiotic such as Cipro can be dangerous as well, especially among children who are at serious risk for developing joint damage while consuming Cipro.

To learn more about the severity of Cipro side effects, contact a medical professional. Additionally, seeking assistance from an experienced pharmaceutical attorney may offer the insight necessary to develop a Cipro lawsuit in which monetary compensation may be a potential outcome from either a settlement or in a court of law.