Anthrax

This may seem like a logical way to defend our health, but by doing this we are bypassing natural IgA immunity, our first –line defense against harmful pathogens. IgA is found in mucosal tissues and works to defend against invading pathogens and other enteric toxins by blocking their attachment to epithelial cells. Eliminating this element from our natural immune system often causes our bodies to over react to vaccines, sometimes creating unwanted effects (Mantis, Rol, & Corthésy, 2011). It is well known that vaccines can cause many different side effects. Once you have received a vaccine, it is highly recommended by the CDC to monitor for sever, life-threatening symptoms.

After coming into contact with anthrax infected animals, many farmers were cutaneously inoculated with anthrax. This outbreak sparked the scientific research of anthrax. 2 Written documentation of anthrax began with Robert Koch's discovery of the bacteria that caused anthrax. Koch performed experiments that explained the attributes of anthrax. Using the spleens of anthrax infected animals, Koch inoculated mice (Elsevier 3).

Terrorists groups have become smart and have used anthrax in letters so victims will become infected upon opening. The U.S. has since taken safety precautions to prevent attacks from happening in the future (History of Bioterrorism n.p.). Health care facilities are very concerned about the outbreak of a biological agent attack. Bioterrorism was a powerful deterrent to war because of its rareness, but now almost every country has biological weapons that could wipe ou... ... middle of paper ... ...vention Programs Justifiable? - Volume 3, Number 2-June 1997 - Emerging Infectious Disease Journal - CDC."

What is Anthrax and how is it transmitted? Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming "bacterium bacillus." Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic vertebrates (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes, and other herbivores), but can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or when spores are used as a bioterrorist weapon. There are three forms of Anthrax. One form of Anthrax is gastrointestinal anthrax, which usually occurs after the consumption of contaminated meat that has been infected with the anthrax bacterium.

According to Willey, Sherwood, and Woolverton, anthrax is a highly infectious animal disease, caused by the bacterium B. antrhacis, that can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep, etc., or their products, especially hides, and its spores can remain viable in soil and animal products for decades. Therefore, it is more likely to be transmitted to those humans continuously in contact with such animals or areas in which infected animals have had contact, even if it was years ago. It can also be transmitted to other animals that may be feeding or living with infected animals or in the infected areas. There are three main types of infections caused by the spores of this bacterium: cutaneous anthrax, pulmonary anthrax, and gastrointestinal anthrax. These are caused when the bacterium comes in contact with a cut on the skin, is inhaled, or is ingested.

Vaccinations are like a training course for the immune system. The virus is injected into the blood stream making your immune system susceptible to the infections. Dr. Richard Moskowtiz states, “Vaccines trick the body so that it will no longer imitate a generalized inflammatory response” Vaccines work with your body to fight the infections and then be able to recognize the virus in the future. “Vaccines are portrayed as being indispensable and somehow better at disease protection…” said by Jamie Murphy. This implies that immune system is becoming stronger to fight diseases.

Vaccines are a simple and effective way to ensure society doesn’t become infected with serious diseases that can cause epidemics. In today’s world, there are many different vaccines available and through increased use of vaccines numerous infections and diseases have been eradicated in devolved countries. Vaccines and immunisations (interchangeable) are small injections, that prevent someone from contracting life-threating diseases such as measles, small-pox, polio etc. Immunisations work by activating the immune system and having it fight certain diseases. People are injected with micro-organisms of common diseases (whooping cough, HPV, measles etc.)

This is when exposure to an antigen from infection or vaccine stimulates memory. We are born with maternal antibodies, however, these soon diminish and we are rapidly exposed to the potential dangers of primary infections that occur in the outside world. In order to avoid the undesirable symptoms that follow an infection scientists began to develop and administer vaccinations. Vaccinations have eradicated Smallpox. They have mercilessly forced Polio to the brink of extinction.

Bioterrorism is a silent killer and without proper precautions can take down great amounts of people depending on the agent used, and the defense in order. Have you ever thought about an act of terrorism where you have no idea it’s happening until it’s too late? This is exactly what happens in bioterrorism! The terrorist intentionally releases biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, and other harmful agents. These agents are meant to cause illness to its targets, but the illness may not happen for several hours to several days after the target has come in contact with the agent.

Vaccinations defend us from life-threatening infections and furthermore keep the spread of those infections to others. Over the course of the years immunizations have hindered pestilences of once common diseases, for example, whooping cough, measles, and mumps,. Also, as a result of vaccines we 've seen the close extinction of others, for example, polio and smallpox. Despite such astounding and effective success of immunizations,