Anthrax Symptoms: Recognizing Cutaneous and Inhalation Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax

- a painless skin sore that starts as a small, itchy bump that resembles an insect bite. Within 1 to 2 days, the bump develops into a painless ulcer with a black center. The ulcer is usually surrounded by significant swelling.

Inhalation anthrax

- sudden onset of flu-like symptoms such as: severe weakness

- headache

- high fever and chills

- sore throat

- nausea

- vomiting

- chest discomfort or pain

- cough or shortness of breath

This advanced, more severe stage develops suddenly within a few days of the initial symptoms and can be fatal within hours or days.

Gastrointestinal anthrax

- nausea and vomiting

- abdominal pain

- severe diarrhea (possibly bloody)

- fever and chills

- extreme weakness

Injection anthrax

- a painless skin sore that starts as a small, itchy bump that resembles an insect bite.

- within 1 to 2 days, the bump develops into a painless ulcer with a black center. The ulcer is usually surrounded by significant swelling.