So much information, so little memory, such poor organization.

Somewhere along the way of my y2k journey of discovery I read an article by a doctor with advice about first aid preparations. And in the article he suggested that people stock up on antibiotics. he listed some antibiotics to have and the dosages and the applicable uses and said that they could be obtained legally (and for less $) from out of the country mail-order suppliers. I'm at a point in my preparations when I want to do this but I've misplaced the info.

Can any of you point the way to this article or to any others like it? And has anyone actually found a out-of-country mail order pharmaceutical supplier?

Thank you for the help

Skeeter

-- Skeeter K. Jackson Simpson (skeeter@barsawmp.corn), April 22, 1999

Answers

Below, I have cut and pasted most of the CDC page on Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). I hope that you don't find yourself in need of this info.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded animals, but can also infect humans.

How is anthrax transmitted?

Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (by cut or skin abrasion), inhalation, and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling animal products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also be spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?

Symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but symptoms usually occur within seven days.

Cutaneous: Most anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within 1-2 days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after onset of the acute symptoms.

Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of cases.

How is anthrax diagnosed?

Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of suspected cases.

Is there an anthrax vaccine for humans?

The anthrax vaccine for humans licensed for use in the United States is a cell-free filtrate vaccine, which means it uses dead bacteria as opposed to live bacteria. Anthrax vaccine is indicated for individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bonemeat, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against cutaneous anthrax. The anthrax vaccine was developed and is manufactured and distributed by the Michigan Biologic Products Institute, Lansing, Michigan. ANTHRAX VACCINS INTENDED FOR USE IN ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE USED BY HUMANS.

Who should be vaccinated against anthrax?

Because anthrax is considered to be a potential agent for use in biological warfare, the Department of Defense has begun systematic vaccination of all U.S. military personnel. Among civilians, the Advisory Committee for Immunizations Practices (ACIP), recommends anthrax vaccine be given to individuals who come in contact in the workplace with imported animal hides, furs, bonemeat, wool, animal hair (especially goat hair), and bristles; and for individuals engaged in diagnostic or investigational activities which may bring them into contact with anthrax spores. The vaccine should only be administered to healthy men and women from 18 to 65 years of age since investigations to date have been conducted exclusively in that population. Because it is not known whether the anthrax vaccine can cause fetal harm, pregnant women should not be vaccinated.

What is the protocol for anthrax vaccination?

The immunization consists of three subcutaneous injections given two weeks apart followed by three additional subcutaneous injections given at 6, 12, and 18 months. Annual booster injections of the vaccine are required to maintain immunity.

Are there adverse reactions to the anthrax vaccine?

Mild local reactions occur in 30% of recipients and consist of slight tenderness and redness at the injection site. A moderate local reaction can occur if the vaccine is given to anyone with a past history of anthrax infection. Severe local reactions are very infrequent and consist of extensive swelling of the forearm in addition to the local reaction. Systemic reactions occur in fewer than 0.2% of recipients and are characterized by flu-like symptoms.

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), April 22, 1999.

I seriously hope you never need the Anthrax vaccines.

And, if you do, it probably won't help you.

Why? Well, it appears that certain countries have developed Anthrax strains immune to all vaccines. I was in Russia last fall and they had a big debate when some investigators discovered that there was a secret Anthrax program under Gorbachav. This Anthrax is incurable. 100% fatal.

The Russian government claimed that they stopped this program, but no one believes it (esp. ordinary Russian citizens, who know a thing or to about trusting government!)

And the Russian's are even the scary ones. It is rumored that the Islamic crazies are brewing up their own batches. And these people are far more likely to use them than the Russians, who I seriously doubt are organized enough to threaten anyone nowadays.

Yes sir, the next few years will be fun.

-- SJ (sj@hp.com), April 22, 1999.

You can take Doxycycline to improve your chances, but you have to start the course BEFORE you get infected. There are some foreign mailorder pharm cos on the internet that sell all kinds of antibiotics without prescription. Search away...

Dano

-- Dano (bookem@blacksand.srf), April 22, 1999.

Here is a preliminary report re the effectiveness of Doxycycline used as a prophylaxis against Anthrax.

www.logoplex.com/resources/mom/reports/med3.html

-- Drew (Kolosky@Prodigy.net), April 22, 1999.

Thanks Drew! Awesome resource there--I am familiar with the Larry Wayne Harris video and am so thankful to know of the errors in his book.

Skeeter

-- Skeeter (skeeter@barsawmp.corn), April 22, 1999.

There are several primary medications used to deal with anthrax, Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline,penicillin,alternatives are Cipro2,clindamycin,Erthromycin and Chloramphenicol. For chem doages administration go to wysig://473/http://www.geocities.com/area51/station/8320/anthrax.html somebody please link dont have time to do it right now God bless, prepare and stay safe. y2k aware mike

-- y2k aware mike (y2k aware mike@ conservation.com), April 22, 1999.

To get back to the actual question, Skeeter I don't know of any. But it's a good idea and I'll look for some on the internet. What would be useful is if you posted the info from the report you got -- which many people, I'm sure, could use... if it's already online, just put the link up. Thanks!

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), April 22, 1999.

BTW....the "goat hair" mentioned above is undoubtely ANGORA GOAT HAIR. It is very long and very silky. Most goats have very short hair. I just don't want anyone who is considering getting into goats to be scared away by thinking that they carry anthrax on their hair. Ordinairly, the goat is the cleanest, healthiest animal on the farm, second comes the rabbit. Chickens are real close to the bottom of the list.

baa! baa! I'm getting three youngsters from a goat dairy, next month!

-- Mary (CAgdma@homenoaddress.com), April 22, 1999.

I found this information some time ago but can't remember where I found it. An MD Looks at Post Y2K Medicine, By Dr. Bill Schenker. It was on the net somewhere. I downloaded it onto my personal achive but forgot to get the net address. It has great, practical information. Hope you can find it. Linda

-- newbiebutnodummy (Linda@home.com), April 23, 1999.

Y2Kchaos.com is where Dr. Bill Schenker's "an MD looks at Post Y2K Medicine" is.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), April 23, 1999.