• fever, muscle aches, headache, lack of energy, sore throat, dry cough, possibly a runny nose

Anthrax can be distinguished from the flu by these additional early symptoms:

• Inhalation (breathing)
  Initial symptoms are much like the common cold, and have "flu-like" symptoms. But, several hours to several days later, severe breathing problems develop followed by shock.
  
  
• Cutaneous (skin)
  Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump, like a bug bite, but within one to two days develops into a sore, and then into a painless ulcer with a black (dead) center. Lymph glands in the area may swell.
  
  
• Intestinal (eating)
  Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and sever diarrhea.

Remember, do not panic. The risk is extremely low. If you have any further questions, call or come into the University Health Services Manoa clinic.

For more information, visit:

• Hawai'i State Board of Health
• Centers for Disease Control
  
  

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Last Updated: 03.01.2008