Despite the germ's terrifying reputation, anthrax infections on the skin are rarely fatal, and most people get better even without treatment. The case confirmed at NBC News in New York City on Thursday was a much less aggressive form of anthrax, although both are caused by the same germ. That variety, called cutaneous anthrax, results when anthrax spores get through a scratch or other break in the skin and cause a sore.
Most people get better even without treatment.
And taking standard antibiotics cures virtually everyone. Anthrax most commonly occurs in hoofed mammals and can also infect humans. Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days after exposure. The serious forms of human anthrax are inhalation anthrax, cutaneous anthrax, and intestinal anthrax. Initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax infection may resemble a common cold.