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| |    Explaining Anthrax to Children by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. Because of extensive media coverage, parents across the country might soon find themselves faced with some difficult questions from their children about bioterrorism, anthrax, and other infections like smallpox that could be turned into biological weapons. Here is some information to help you deal with your child's concerns. As always, try to provide direct, honest answers to your child's questions that are appropriate for her level of understanding. Be careful not to overwhelm her with too much information all at once, and don't be afraid to admit it if you don't have all the answers. What is bioterrorism? Bioterrorism (also known as biologic warfare or germ warfare) uses viruses or bacteria, instead of guns or bombs, to hurt and frighten people. These germs are not the same ones that cause routine infections like colds, sore throats, and ear infections. Instead, they are unusual ones like anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, botulism, and viruses like Ebola. What causes anthrax? Anthrax is an infection that is caused by a bacterium (young children may be more familiar with the term "germ"). Where does anthrax come from? It usually comes from animals like cattle, sheep, and goats--even camels and antelopes--that get sick from the disease and then pass it to humans. However, this only rarely happens in the U.S. because we give our domestic animals anthrax vaccines to keep them well. In times of war, anthrax can be grown in laboratories by people who want to use it as a weapon. Anthrax can be found all over the world in the soil. In spore form, it can stay alive for many years either in the soil, or stored for use as a weapon. How do people get anthrax? There are three ways people can get infected with anthrax: breathing in the bacteria; swallowing them (e.g., eating undercooked meat from an infected animal); or by letting a cut or scrape come into contact with products from an infected animal (e.g., clothing made from wool, hide, or animal hair). Most of the time when people get anthrax from animals, it is through cuts in their skin. In contrast, if people get it from terrorist attacks, it will probably be from breathing in the anthrax spores. Ways that the terrorists might spread it include dropping it from airplanes (like crop dusters), or sending it in packages through the mail. You can't get anthrax from another person. How long does it take to get sick? Usually people begin to get sick within one week of having been exposed to anthrax, but it may take up to two months. What are the symptoms? Since virtually all the symptoms of anthrax are similar to those found in more routine infections, you may not want to volunteer them to your child--she might worry if she or someone close to her gets sick. However, if she specifically asks about them and you want to tell her, here are the facts: If people get anthrax through the skin, they may get a sore near the cut or scrape that was exposed. If they get it from eating something that has been contaminated, they will get symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomachaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If they breathe it into their lungs, in the beginning they will just feel like they have a cold or the flu (e.g., fever, cough, and muscles aches), but over the next few days they will become very weak, have trouble breathing, and get much sicker. What is the treatment? Everyone who gets anthrax needs to be given antibiotics as soon as possible. Unless only a very mild skin sore is involved, the antibiotics should be given by vein (IV) in the hospital. Can anthrax kill people? Unfortunately, the only honest answer to this question is yes. The inhaled form is most deadly, and the type you get through your skin is the least. What is being done to protect us from anthrax? Many powerful people, such as doctors, our armed forces, and government officials, are working to protect us against anthrax. They are trying to stop the terrorists from releasing these germs, and they are storing large amounts of vaccines and medicines to be ready if terrorists strike. How does smallpox differ from anthrax?
Click here to see our articles about how to explain terrorism, war, and bioterrorism to your child. These articles include age-appropriate advice. For more information about bioterrorism and anthrax you can go to the following:
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