Anthrax (Cutaneous)

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Case definition: an acute bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis (Gram-positive). It is manifested at first by itching of an exposed skin surface, followed by a painful lesion which becomes papular, then vesiculated and eventually develops into a depressed black eschar in 2-6 days.

NB Do not take any laboratory specimens, treat on clinical and epidemiological basis.

Initial treatment, in severe cases:

	Medicine	Adult dose	Frequency	Duration
	benzylpenicillin im/iv	1-2MU	4 times a day	initially
then	procaine penicillin im	3gm	once daily	7-10 days

 

Less severe cases:

Medicine	Adult Dose	Frequency	Duration
Doxycycline po*	200mg first dose, then 100mg	once daily	7 days

*avoid use of doxycycline in pregnant women and children

NB: Pulmonary form of Anthrax- refer to designated Infectious Disease Hospital