The following information is cut and pasted from pro-resources.net. The poster assumes no liability for any problems arising from implementation of any of the information in this article. Use at your own risk.

Bacillus Anthracis

Description:

Anthrax--Bacillus Anthracis--is highly lethal! In spore form, Anthrax is quite stable and very suitable as an aerosol weapon.

Signs and Symptoms:

Inhalation--Pulmonary (lungs)
Incubation 1-6 days Fever, malaise, cough and mild chest discomfort, rapidly followed by severe respiratory distress with labored breathing, sweating, harsh breathing sounds, and bluish or gray skin. Shock and death follow within 24-36 hours of severe symptoms. Even with treatment of heroic measures, Pulmonary Anthrax is:
Virtually 100% FATAL
Antibiotic Prophylaxis would be successful.

Cutaneous (skin—sores)
A pimple develops, then blisters, finally forming a small black scab of dead tissue surrounded by swelling. Fever may be present. The lesions are usually painless. Left untreated the local infection may progress into blood poisoning and Death. Untreated cases have a 20% death rate. With treatment, fatalities are rare. Antibiotic Prophylaxis would be successful.

Gastrointestinal (intestines—guts)
Contracted from ingesting spore- or bacillus-infested food or water—esp. meat. Signs of distended abdomen, sweats, occasional blood- tinged feces or discharges of pure blood may develop. Bluish skin, occasional elevated temperature and labored breathing precede Death. Gastro-Anthrax is rare but 100% FATAL Antibiotic Prophylaxis would probably FAIL!

Anthrax is not considered contagious in the ordinary sense although it can be contracted from infected or infested food, clothing and body fluid!

War Engine:

Anthrax is spread primarily by aerosol. It has the potential of producing mass casualties who would then swiftly overwhelm all medical facilities and response teams in the area.

©Copyright Medical Corps and Professional Resources Network 1998-2001 All Rights Reserved - www.medicalcorps.org and www.pro-resources.net

Prophylaxis: Adults--Oral

Oral medication only—Human or Animal Grade

DOXYCYCLINE: Adults 100 pounds or over Doxycycline (Vibramycin) pills or capsules

1) Minimum adult dosage for Doxycycline = 100mg every 8 hours (TID/q8h) x 60 days This is a total of 300mg per day.

TETRACYCLINE: Adults 8 years and over Adult DOSAGES: Tetracycline or Oxytetracycline.

1) Minimum adult dosage for the Tetracyclines = 500mg every four hours (q4h) x 60 days This is a daily total of 3,000mg

CIPROFLOXACIN, CIPRO: Adults over 18 Adult DOSAGES: Ciprofloxacin, Cipro Not for pregnant women or children.

1) Minimum adult dosage for Cipro = 500mg every 12 hours (q12h--BID) x 60 days This is a daily total of 1,000mg

PENICILLIN: Adults--60 pounds and over Adult Dosages--Pen V K (oral Penicillin) 1) Adult "loading" dosage for the Pen V K = 1000mg every 6 hours (q6h)—two days only!

**THEN TAKE**

2) Minimum Adult dosage for Pen V K = 500mg every 6 (six) hours (q6h) x 60 days This is a daily total of 2,000mg

©Copyright Medical Corps and Professional Resources Network 1998-2001 All Rights Reserved - www.medicalcorps.org and www.pro-resources.net

Prophylaxis: CHILDREN--Oral

Oral medication only--Human or Animal Grade Do NOT give Children "Shots"!

When Children are considered "Children":

Doxycycline---100 pounds and under
Tetracycline--- 8 years and under
Oxytetracycline---8 years and under
Penicillin--- 60 pounds and under
Cipro--- Do not give to humans under 19 years

Clark's Rule: Weight *best*
Divide the child's weight by 150 lbs. then multiply that number by the ADULT daily dose total. The answer equals the child's total daily dose. For instance, a dosage for a 50 pound child is computed thus:
50/150 = 0.333 or 1/3
Now multiply that by the minimum daily dose for an adult and you get:
0.333 X 300mg (Doxycycline) = 99.999mg or: 100mg for a daily dose total of Doxycycline

The minimum dosage for the 50 pound child should be: 50 mg every 12 hours (q12h) x 60 days
Total daily dose = 100mg

Example: 40 pound child taking--
Tetracycline and Oxytetracycline would compute:
(40/150 times 3000mg) or an 800mg daily dose total

Example: 30 pound child taking--
Penicillin V-K would compute:
(30/150 times 2000mg) or a 400mg daily dose total

Young's Rule: AGE

Divide the age of the child by his age + 12.
For instance the calculations for a 3 year old child would be 3 divided by 3+12 (15) or 3/15.
Thus 1/5th of the daily adult dose total.

Cowling's Rule: AGE

Divide the number of the NEXT birthday by 24.
For example: a 5 year old child's dose would compute:
6 divided by 24 equals 6/24 or 1/4 of the daily adult dose/dosage total.

©Copyright Medical Corps and Professional Resources Network 1998-2001 All Rights Reserved - www.medicalcorps.org and www.pro-resources.net

Control

Isolation:
When handling infected humans or animals wear:
Kitchen Gloves, Poncho, Mask, and Eye Protection

Decontamination:
Wash or Spray all contaminated objects with: 0.5% Bleach.
Food CANNOT be decontaminated!

To decontaminate drinking water using:

USP Iodine Crystals --Saturated Solution

Add 8 grams of Iodine crystals to a 2 ounce clear glass bottle with a bake-lite cap. NO Plastic! Fill with water and shake vigorously for several minutes, then let settle. Without disturbing the sediment, withdraw 6 teaspoons (30cc) of the saturated solution and add to a quart of tepid water. Let stand for at least 60 min. To make more of the saturated solution "batch", just add water to the sediment in the two-ounce bottle and shake.
Remember: When there is no more sediment —start another "batch".

Contamination Prevention:

Eat only sealed foods.
Drink only sealed water.
Avoid air conditioning.
Avoid crowds.
Wear a face mask.
Wear kitchen gloves.
Wear a poncho.
Wear boots.
Think

Disposal: Human or Animal
Do NOT burn carcasses—bury them with quick lime. The fire will burst the lungs of the carcass and spread the spores.

Sanitation
Anthrax spores will survive for years. However, re-aerosolization by movement of vehicles or humans is very unlikely. Rigid "cleanliness" must be enforced!

©Copyright Medical Corps and Professional Resources Network 1998-2001 All Rights Reserved - www.medicalcorps.org and www.pro-resources.net

Treatment
For patients not on Prophylaxis

Cutaneous (skin)
Immobilize the affected part.
Absolute bed rest.
Do not try to "drain" any of the infections.

ADULT--Oral Dosages taken for 10 days

Doxycycline—100mg twice a day
Tetracycline—500mg four times a day
Oxytetracycline—500mg four times a day
Penicillin V-K—250mg six times a day
Cipro—500mg twice a day

CHILD--Oral Dosages taken for 10 days

See: Clark’s Rule
Young’s Rule
Cowling’s Rule
Humans under 19 years should not take Cipro!
Expectant Mothers should not take Cipro!

Pulmonary (Lungs)

Isolation Procedures:
Provider should wear: Gloves, Mask and Gown.
Make the patient comfortable.
Triage mass Pulmonary casualties.

ADULT Treatment I.V.: Dosage per day

I.V. Drip Penicillin G—20 million units per day
I.V. Drip Doxycycline—200mg (loading) *then* 100mg I.V. Drip every 12 hours.
I.V. Drip Cipro—400mg every 8-12 hours

CHILDREN Treatment I.V.: Per Day

Doxycycline—I.V. Drip—Ringers or D5&W
For Children under 100 pounds as follows:
4.4mg per kg of weight, I.V. Drip (loading) *then* 2.2mg per kg of weight, I.V. Drip every 12 hours

I.V. Penicillin G—Consult PDR and Merck

NOTE: Mass Causality Patients with Pulmonary Anthrax are going to DIE—treatment or not.
If you use your antibiotics on terminal patients, there will be no antibiotics for minor illnesses.
NOTE: If you use antibiotics for terminal patients, there will be no antibiotics for Prevention and "YOU" WILL DIE!

©Copyright Medical Corps and Professional Resources Network 1998-2001 All Rights Reserved - www.medicalcorps.org and www.pro-resources.net

Only one of many sources for aquatic antibiotics: drsfostersmith.com Example: Penicillin, 250mg tabs, 100 for $8.99 (backordered until November 1--I wonder why?).

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2001

Answers

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001

bump

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001