Veterinarians and producers working with anthrax suspects or confirmed cases should wear respiratory equipment capable of filtering this size of particle. The cutaneous or skin form occurs when anthrax spores invade a cut or abrasion. Initially the site will itch followed by swelling and discoloration of the affected area. Pain is not usually present. If left untreated, cutaneous anthrax can eventually become septicemic and lead to death.
Antibiotic therapy is very effective for the cutaneous form of anthrax.
The respiratory form of anthrax occurs when the spores are inhaled and then infect the lung tissue. Initial symptoms are mild and may resemble having the flu or common cold. The disease will progress at a rapid rate with shock developing within three to five days, followed shortly by death. Once shock has developed, any therapy is met with limited success. The intestinal form of anthrax occurs when spores are ingested, primarily through ingesting contaminated meat.