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These days one of the most common terms that we hear is “Anthrax”. But not many people know about this disease or what it really is.

Anthrax is a disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bacillus anthracis.
The bacteria produce infectious spores.  Once inside a body the spores grow rapidly and cause a
       dangerous infection.
This disease is most often seen in wild and domesticated cattle.
We (humans) can contract anthrax three ways.  The three forms of anthrax infection are:

1.  Cutaneous

How we get in contact with the spores:

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Through a cut or scrape in the skin.

Symptoms

Starts out with a bump on the skin that
       might appear to be like a mosquito bite
       (usually seen on the hands)
Within a few days it would turn into a
       painless, open sore with an area of black,
       dead tissue in the middle.

Treatment

This infection can be cured through
       antibiotic treatment* .
Is the least fatal form of the disease.

2.  Inhalation

How we get in contact with the spores:
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When the victim breathes in the spores.

Most deadly form, as a person would have
       to inhale several thousand spores before the
       infection can take hold.

Symptoms

Starts out as a common cold but can
       rapidly progress to severe pneumonia with
       difficulty in breathing and shock.

Treatment

This infection can be cured through
       antibiotic treatment* if administered during
       the first few days of infection.
This form of disease is often fatal.

3.  Ingestion

How we get in contact with the spores:

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When a person consumes raw or too-rare
       meat from an infected animal.

This form is very rarely seen in humans.

Symptoms

Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Followed by severe abdominal pains,
       vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea.

  Treatment

This infection can be cured through
       antibiotic treatment*.
If left untreated, this form of anthrax may be
      fatal.

*Antibiotic treatment

Two antibiotics that are recommended: doxycycline and ciprofloxacin
Antibiotic treatment should continue for 60 days as spores can stay hidden in the lungs for a long
       time.

Anthrax cannot be spread from person to person.  Anthrax infection has to be identified first before it can be treated. Only a person who has had an anthrax attack before would be able to develop immunity to the disease. This is because the body would recognize the dangerous type of bacteria and would know how to fight it. There is no need to stockpile antibiotics and one must not start on antibiotic treatment as a precaution as it might have adverse effects.  The Health authorities will inform us if a need arises.  Rumors about the anthrax bacteria being resistant to antibiotics do not have hard evidence and the strain that is affecting America currently appears to be fully sensitive to antibiotic treatment.

(Reference :  WEB MD and CNN)