pulmonary anthrax
Noun: A severe and often fatal infectious disease caused by inhaling spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is characterized by initial flu-like symptoms that rapidly progress to severe respiratory distress and systemic shock.
This term is used specifically in medical and public health contexts to describe the inhalational form of anthrax. * Early diagnosis of pulmonary anthrax is critical but challenging due to its nonspecific initial symptoms. * The 2001 bioterrorism attacks in the United States involved letters containing spores that could cause pulmonary anthrax.
- "Inhalational anthrax" is a more clinical synonym for pulmonary anthrax, emphasizing the route of infection.
- The disease progression is often described in two phases: a prodromal stage with mild symptoms, followed by a fulminant stage of severe illness.
- Inhalational anthrax (n): A synonymous term for pulmonary anthrax.
- Woolsorter's disease (n): An older, occupational name for pulmonary anthrax, historically associated with handling infected animal wool or hides.
- Anthrax (n): The general term for the disease caused by , which can manifest in cutaneous (skin), gastrointestinal, or pulmonary forms.
- Inhalational anthrax
- Woolsorter's disease (historical/occupational)
This term refers exclusively to the infection acquired through the respiratory tract. It is distinct from other forms of anthrax, such as cutaneous anthrax (skin infection) or gastrointestinal anthrax. Pulmonary anthrax is the most lethal form.
- a form of anthrax infection acquired by inhalation of dust containing Bacillus anthracis; initial symptoms (chill and cough and dyspnea and rapid pulse) are followed by extreme cardiovascular collapse