What are the symptoms of respiratory anthrax?
Initial symptoms of respiratory (inhalational) anthrax are mild and not specific and may include muscle pain, fatigue, mild fever, and a nonproductive cough. A sore throat is occasionally present. After a few days, the symptoms progress to severe shortness of breath and chest pain. Sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion are not symptoms of respiratory anthrax. How do I know that my cold or flu symptoms are not caused by respiratory anthrax? Persons with colds and the flu usually have sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion – persons with respiratory anthrax do not. The onset of influenza is rapid (less than half a day from well to bedridden) – the onset of the respiratory anthrax is slower. Anthrax is an extremely rare infection in the absence of a known exposure. For instance, there were no reported cases of respiratory anthrax from 1980 through 2000; there were only 18 reported cases in the United States from 1900 to 1980. In contrast, about 90 persons a year are killed in the
