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What Is Anthrax?{{/B}} There's been a lot of talk about anthrax on the news lately. Some people are worded that anthrax may be connected to terrorist attacks or that terrorists may spread the germ that{{U}} (1) {{/U}}the disease. Federal officials and police are investigating this and taking measures to protect us. In the meantime, it's important not to panic over anthrax. The chances that you and your family{{U}} (2) {{/U}}at risk are very tiny. One of the ways you can feel better is to learn about anthrax. When you know what it is and{{U}} (3) {{/U}}you can get it, it doesn't seem quite as scary. So, what{{U}} (4) {{/U}}is anthrax? Here are the facts on anthrax: Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by a germ. Although it's most common in farm{{U}} (5) {{/U}}, like sheep, cows, pigs, horses, and goats, there's a very small chance that people can get it, too. Anthrax spores (a version of the germ in a protective shell that can live in the soil for years) cause the disease. People may get anthrax if they are exposed to anthrax{{U}} (6) {{/U}}. But here's the important part: just being exposed to these spores doesn't mean that a person will get{{U}} (7) {{/U}}. For people to get sick, they would have to breathe in thousands of these spores all the way into their{{U}} (8) {{/U}}. Or they'd have to eat meat contaminated with anthrax or handle{{U}} (9) {{/U}}that has anthrax spores. This may sound scary, but even when people come{{U}} (10) {{/U}}contact with the spores, it's unlikely that they'll get sick.{{U}} (11) {{/U}}the bacteria do not get into the skin, digestive tract, or lung, the disease won't develop. Anthrax is not spread from person to person the way the flu can spread from family member to{{U}} (12) {{/U}}member or classmate to classmate. Anthrax is very rare. Until recently, anthrax wasn't even talked about because it was so rare-- and it still{{U}} (13) {{/U}}! Even with all of the anthrax cases you are hearing about right now(and many of these suspected cases will turn out not to be anthrax), a person's chances of getting anthrax are about the{{U}} (14) {{/U}}as they were before you heard about anthrax on the news -- very, very low. If you still feel scared when you hear about anthrax, remember that it's extremely unlikely that you or your family or anyone you know will ever be{{U}} (15) {{/U}}to anthrax spores. |