Cutaneous (“skin”) anthrax can occur when bacteria enter a break in the skin.

Cutaneous anthrax, the most common naturally occurring types, comes from handling contaminated animal product - such as meat, wool, or hides.

Begins as a small bump, progresses to a larger blister in 1-2 days, followed by a black scab called an eschar.

About 5% to 20% of untreated cases can result in death, but death is rare if given antibiotic therapy.

Gastrointestinal (“stomach”) anthrax can occur when eating raw or undercooked contaminated meat.

Gastrointestinal anthrax is a very rare disease—no documented U.S. case in the 20th century.

Initial signs are nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever — followed by severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, and severe diarrhea.

Death results in 25% to 60% of cases.

Inhalational anthrax can occur when inhaling as few as 5000-6000 anthrax spores—perhaps in a single deep breath.

Initial symptoms may develop in 1-6 days, and resemble the common cold or flu: sore throat, mild fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Mild symptoms can progress very rapidly after a few days to severe breathing problems and shock—if left untreated, death rate exceeds 99%.

Even when treated aggressively in a state-of-art hospital center, once severe symptoms develop, 45% to 80% of patients could die.