Inhalational anthrax: threat, clinical presentation, and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with a basic understanding of clinical presentation, transmission, diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and post-exposure prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax.


METHODS
Selected research and clinical articles and government guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhalational anthrax has an incubation period of 1 to 6 days and is very difficult to diagnose early. The chest radiograph consistently reveals a widened mediastinum and pleural effusion without infiltrates. Mortality for inhalational anthrax is high, despite aggressive treatment after onset of symptoms. Delays in diagnosis contribute to the high mortality rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential use of aerosolized anthrax as a biological warfare weapon has renewed interest in inhalational anthrax. Primary care providers are cornerstones in the defense against biological weapons because they may be the first to recognize and report suspicious cases.
Henry
L
L
University of Maine. lhenry@mid-maine.com
D000336:Aerosols; D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000635:transmission; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001694:Biological Warfare; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D011634:Public Health; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
D000336:Aerosols; D022122:Anthrax Vaccines; D010406:Penicillins