biological&chemicalweapons

Anthrax can be an insidious and efficient killer. Its spores can survive for decades. If inhaled, they can kill in a matter of two or three days, doing its worst damage with symptoms that seem no worse than a cold.

The military considers anthrax to be the most serious of all biological threats. But to be so dangerous, anthrax must be "weaponized," manufactured in the form of fine spores that can be breathed deep into the lungs.

Here are answers to questions most often asked about this microbe.

Q: What does anthrax look like?

A: In its most destructive form -- an aerosol sprayed into the air -- it is invisible and odorless. Anthrax spores can only be seen through a microscope that magnifies 50 to 100 times. Scientists say it can be stored in bulk as a powder, liquid or paste.

Q: Would I know if I breathed anthrax?

A: No.

Q: If anthrax is on the ground, can I get it from kicking up dust?

A: Probably not. The spores tend to clump together, so even if inhaled, they do not get deep into the lungs.

Q: How much anthrax does it take to make someone sick?

A: Roughly 10,000 spores.

Q: Where do anthrax spores come from?

A: Anthrax bacteria live in the blood of animals. When an animal dies, the bacteria form spores, which are released.

Q: What happens when a person breathes them?

A: The spores become lodged in the lungs. There, they are picked up by immune-system cells called macrophages, which carry them to the lymph nodes. On the way, the spores mature into bacteria.

Q: How do they make people sick?

A: The bacteria multiply in the lymph nodes and then enter the bloodstream. They produce a poison that causes the immune system to produce lethal doses of chemicals that are ordinarily useful to the body.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: At first, they seem like a cold or flu: fever, ache and nonproductive cough. Plummeting blood pressure, swelling, hemorrhaging and other catastrophic symptoms soon follow.

Q: How quickly does it kill?

A: Typically within three days of the start of symptoms.

Q: How soon do symptoms start once people breathe the spores?

A: Usually around 10 days, but up to six weeks.

Q: Can it be treated?

A: It can be treated with antibiotics, such as Cipro or doxycycline, if given before symptoms start. Treatment usually fails once symptoms set in, since it does no good to kill the bacteria once they make large amounts of toxin.

Q. Isn't there a vaccine to prevent it?

A. The only vaccine is in limited supply and is now only available to the military.

Q: Are there other forms of anthrax disease?

A: Yes. By far the most common is anthrax on the skin, which forms inflamed bumps. It can be fatal but usually goes away on its own. This form most often infects people who handle livestock.

Q: How can anthrax spores be killed?

A: They can live for many years in the ground and resist drying, heat and ultraviolet light. They can be killed with a mixture of bleach and water or with vaporized formaldehyde.

Q: Where would someone get anthrax?

A: Anthrax is grown and maintained in cell cultures that are kept by research labs. It is not sold or otherwise legally distributed. Theoretically, anthrax could be isolated and grown from the remains of an animal that died of anthrax or from nearby soil. Several countries have produced large quantities of anthrax as weapons.

Q: How long has anthrax been around?

A: Anthrax is thought to have been one of the Egyptian plagues at the time of Moses. The ancient Romans recorded cases.

Q: How does it get its name?

A: It comes from the Greek word for coal. It's called this because of the black scab it leaves on the skin.

More on Anthrax

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/10/13/134013.shtml

Anthrax: More Deadly Than Reported

Col. Byron Weeks, M.D., Ret. <btweeksmd@mindspring.com>

Monday, October 15, 2001

Dr. Weeks has had a distinguished medical and military career with the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. Dr. Weeks began military service as the youngest flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After 30 years of military service, during which he served in senior posts, including Hospital Commander at Bitburg Air Force Base, Germany, Dr. Weeks retired and entered private practice. During the past two decades, he has focused his studies on the threat of biological and chemical agents as weapons of war. Dr. Weeks has lectured and written numerous articles on infectious diseases and biological warfare.

Anthrax poses a significant threat to Americans and should not be dismissed as an ineffective bio-weapon, as many media are portraying it. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a Gram-positive, spore-forming rod.

The spores are the usual infective form. Anthrax is primarily a zoonotic (communicable from animals to humans) disease of herbivores, with cattle, sheep, goats and horses being the usual domesticated animal hosts, but other animals may be infected.

Humans generally contract the disease when handling contaminated hair, wool, hides, flesh, blood and excreta of infected animals and from manufactured products such as bone meal.

Infection is introduced through scratches, abrasions and wounds, or by inhaling spores, eating insufficiently cooked infected meat, or being bitten by flies.

The primary concern for intentional infection by this organism is through inhalation after aerosol dissemination of spores.

All human populations are susceptible.

The spores are very stable and may remain viable for many years in soil and water. They resist sunlight for varying periods.

History and Significance

Anthrax spores were weaponized by the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, before the old U.S. offensive program was terminated.

Other countries have weaponized this agent or are suspected of doing so. Anthrax bacteria are easy to cultivate and spore production is readily induced.

Moreover, the spores are highly resistant to sunlight, heat and disinfectants – properties which could be advantageous when choosing a bacterial weapon.

Weaponized spores are heartier than ones that Western medical experts have seen before; therefore, the risk from these spores is greater than many may believe.

Iraq admitted to a United Nations inspection team in August of 1991 that it had performed research on the offensive use of B. anthracis prior to the Persian Gulf War, and in 1995 Iraq admitted to weaponizing anthrax.

Dr. Ken Alibek, a recent defector from the former Soviet Union's biological weapons program, revealed that the Soviets had produced anthrax in ton quantities for use as a weapon.

This agent could be produced in either a wet or dried form. Coverage of a large ground area could theoretically be facilitated by multiple spray bomblets containing desiccated spores disseminated from a missile warhead at a predetermined height above the ground.

Clinical Features

Anthrax presents as three somewhat distinct clinical syndromes in humans: cutaneous, inhalational and gastrointestinal.

The cutaneous form (also referred to as a malignant pustule) occurs most frequently on the hands and forearms of persons working with infected livestock.

It begins as a papule (bump) followed by formation of a fluid-filled vesicle (blister). The vesicle typically dries and forms a coal-black scab (eschar); hence, the term anthrax (from the Greek for coal). This local infection can occasionally disseminate into a fatal systemic infection.

Gastrointestinal anthrax is rare in humans, and is contracted by the ingestion of insufficiently cooked meat from infected animals.

Endemic inhalational anthrax, known as woolsorter's disease, is also a rare infection, contracted by inhalation of the spores. It occurs mainly among workers in industrial settings who handle infected hides, wool and furs.

Inhalational anthrax usually has an incubation period of 1-6 days, although in an outbreak in Sverdlovsk in the Soviet Union, one patient had a six-week interval between exposure and onset. [See note at end for more on outbreak.]

Because the number of spores needed to kill an animal from inhalational anthrax is much smaller than for a human, animals will be the first to shows symptoms of the disease and die. Thus, the unusual incidence of deaths of dogs, cats and other pets may serve as an early warning of an anthrax outbreak.

In humans, the mortality of untreated cutaneous anthrax ranges up to 25 percent; in inhalational and intestinal cases, the case fatality rate is 90 percent to 100 percent.

Diagnosis

After an incubation period of 1-6 days, presumably dependent upon the strain and number of organisms inhaled, the onset of inhalational anthrax is gradual and nonspecific.

Fever, malaise and fatigue may be present, sometimes in association with a nonproductive cough and mild chest discomfort. These initial symptoms are often followed by a short period of improvement (from hours to 2-3 days), followed by the abrupt development of severe respiratory distress with sweating, shortness of breath, stridor (sound of respiration when airways are obstructed) and cyanosis (bluish color of skin due to insufficient oxygen in blood).

Septicemia (blood poisoning), shock and death usually follow within 24-36 hours after the onset of respiratory distress.

Physical findings are typically non-specific, especially in the early phase of the disease.

The chest X-ray often reveals a widened mediastinum (chest cavity) with or without pleural effusions late in the disease in about 55 percent of the cases, but typically is without lung infiltrates.

Pneumonia generally does not occur; therefore, organisms are not typically seen in the sputum. Bacillus anthracis will be detectable by Gram stain of the blood and by blood culture with routine media, but often not until late in the course of the illness.

Approximately 50 percent of cases are accompanied by hemorrhagic meningitis, and therefore organisms may also be identified in cerebrospinal fluid.

Only vegetative encapsulated bacilli are present during infection; spores are not found within the body unless it is opened to ambient air.

Bacilli and toxin appear in the blood late on day 2 or early on day 3 post-exposure. Toxin production parallels the appearance of bacilli in the blood and tests are available to rapidly detect the toxin. Concurrently with the appearance of anthrax, the WBC (white blood cell) count becomes elevated and remains so until death.

Medical Management

Almost all inhalational anthrax cases in which treatment was begun after patients were significantly symptomatic have been fatal, regardless of treatment.

Penicillin has been regarded as the treatment of choice, with 2 million units given intravenously every 2 hours. Tetracyclines and erythromycin have been recommended in penicillin-allergic patients.

The vast majority of naturally occurring anthrax strains are sensitive to penicillin in vitro (in the laboratory). However, Russia has developed new strains that are resistant to penicillin, tetracyclines, erythromycin and probably other antibiotics, through laboratory manipulation of organisms.

All naturally occurring strains tested to date have been sensitive to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin (cipro).

In the absence of antibiotic sensitivity data, empiric intravenous antibiotic treatment should be instituted with cipro at a dose of 400-800 mg IV twice daily at the earliest signs of disease.

U.S. military policy (FM 8-284) currently recommends ciprofloxacin (400 mg IV every 12 hours) or doxycycline (200 mg IV load, followed by 100 mg IV every 12 hours) as initial therapy, with penicillin (4 million units IV every 4 hours) as an alternative once sensitivity data is available.

Published recommendations from a public health consensus panel recommends ciprofloxacin as initial therapy.

Recommended treatment duration of the active case is 60 days, and should be changed to oral therapy as clinical condition improves.

Supportive therapy for shock, fluid volume deficit and inadequacy of airway may all be needed.

Standard precautions are recommended for patient care.

There is no evidence of direct person-to-person spread of disease from inhalational anthrax.

After an invasive procedure or autopsy, the instruments and area used should be thoroughly disinfected with a sporicidal (spore-killing) agent such as formaldehyde. Sodium or calcium hypochlorite can be used, but with the caution that the activity of hypochlorites is greatly reduced in the presence of organic material.

Prophylaxis (Prevention)

Vaccine: A licensed vaccine (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) made solely by BioPort Corp. is derived from sterile culture fluid supernatant taken from an attenuated strain.

Therefore, the vaccine does not contain live or dead organisms. However, because of numerous severe immunologic reactions to this vaccine, I cannot recommend it.

Antibiotics: Both military doctrine and a public health consensus panel recommend prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (500 mg orally twice a day) as the first-line medication in a situation with anthrax as the presumptive agent.

Ciprofloxacin recently became the first medication approved by the FDA for prophylaxis after exposure to a biological weapon (anthrax).

Bioweaponized anthrax is very likely to be resistant to alternatives such as doxycycline (100 mg orally twice a day) or amoxicillin (500mg orally every 8 hours).

Should an attack be confirmed as anthrax, antibiotics should be continued for at least 4 weeks in all those exposed.

Optimally, patients should have medical care available upon discontinuation of antibiotics, from a fixed medical care facility with intensive care capabilities and infectious disease consultants.

References:

"Biohazard" by Ken Alibek, M.D., Ph.D.

USAMRIID: Manual of Biological Warfare

NOTE:

In April 1979, an anthrax outbreak in the Soviet city of Sverdlovsk, roughly 850 miles east of Moscow, killed 66 of 94 infected people. The first victim died after 4 days; the last one died 6 weeks later.

The Soviet government claimed the deaths were caused by intestinal anthrax from tainted meat. It was not until 1992 that President Boris Yeltsin admitted the outbreak was the result of military activity at a suspected Soviet biological weapons facility located in the city.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bioterrorism
Russia
War on Terrorism

A product that might interest you:
Biohazard – Terrifying Account of Bio Weapons Research

BOTULINUM TOXIN

What is it? Bacterium that develops only in the absence of oxygen.

How it works: By inhalation. Botulinum neurotoxins generally kill by the relatively slow onset (hours to days) of respiratory failure. The individual may not show signs of disease for 24-72 hours. The toxin blocks biochemical action in the nerves that activate the muscles necessary for respiration, causing suffocation.

Lethal amount: One billionth of a gram

How long can it survive? Relatively short life after it's released

Symptoms: Dizziness, dry throat, blurred vision.

Treatment: Anti-toxins can be injected soon after exposure to a lethal dose of toxin

Prevention: Gas mask, protective clothing

Chemical Weapons

VX

What is it? VX, considered one of the most lethal chemical weapons, is a colorless and odorless liquid that turns into a gas on contact with oxygen.

How it works: VX is primarily toxic through the skin, but can also prove fatal when inhaled. VX is fast-moving, virtually undetectable, and can spread through air as well as water. In its liquid state it is roughly the same density as water. It blocks the transmission of impulses along the central nervous system, causing convulsions, respiratory paralysis, and death.

Lethal amount: 10 mg (just a drop)

Symptoms: Increased salivation, coughing, runny nose, headache and nausea.

Prevention: Gas mask, protective clothing

MUSTARD GAS

What is it? Mustard gas is in its pure state a colorless, odorless liquid, but when mixed with other chemicals, it looks brown and has a garlic-like smell.

How it works: Inhaling the vapors causes painful, long-lasting blisters all over the body.

Symptoms: Itchy skin, watery eyes and burning sensation in lungs. The long-term effects on an individual may include chronic lung impairment, chest pain and cancer of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract, and skin. It has been linked to causing leukemia and birth defects.

Prevention: Gas mask

SARIN

What is it? Sarin is a highly toxic gas which attacks the central nervous system.

How it works: It is chiefly absorbed through the respiratory tract; can be absorbed through the skin at higher environmental temperatures. Depending upon concentration of Sarin, toxicity can occur within minutes.

Lethal amount: 100 milligrams

Symptoms: In low levels, it causes severe headaches, increased salivation and constrict air passages to the lungs. In higher doses, it causes coughing, increased perspiration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and breathing difficulties. Death can follow due to suffocation.

http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.tetrahedron.org/articles/apocalypse/bio_chem_guide.html

Preparing for Biological and Chemical Terrorism:
A Practical Guide to Antibiotics and
Their Usage for Survival

by
Leonard G. Horowitz, D.M.D., M.A., M.P.H.
Tetrahedron Publishing Group
Sandpoint, Idaho

Disclaimer and Background

This information is for educational purposes only. It is intended to help in the event of biological and chemical weapons attacks on civilian populations. It is not provided in order to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or injury of the body, mind, or spirit.

The author, publisher, and distributors of this work accept no responsibility for people using or misusing the potentially life-saving information in this text.

Individuals suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should, as Hippocrates prescribed, "learn to derive benefit from the illness." In this sense, in the context of "America's New War" on terrorism, diagnosing the root causes of contemporary threats best derives "benefit". That is, comprehend the evil bringing on such illness and distress. The macroscopic--political, social, moral, and personal forces, beside the microscopic agents, are best identified to provide appropriate treatments.

The antibiotic applications against germ warfare discussed herein are not well-established medical practices. They are best considered speculative, but reasonable, given the urgent and widespread risks of biological attack for which there is no precedent, nor adequate scientific research. Discussions herein are intended to provide self-help strategies under emergency circumstances in which professional care is unavailable, as is anticipated following large-scale exposures of unprotected populations to lethal biologicals.

It must be stressed that the unsupervised lay use of antibiotics is dangerous for several reasons: 1) antibiotics may cause potentially fatal reactions (e.g., allergy, asthma, and death); 2) antibiotics can prompt greater growth, development, and spread of resistant pathogens such as fungi and Mycoplasma prompting more severe or alternative infections; 3) antibiotic usage can make it more difficult for physicians to diagnose life-threatening infectious illnesses. Thus, self-medication is not advised under normal circumstances of medical personnel availability.

Furthermore, though certain antibiotics are customarily prescribed to kill certain strains of bacteria, germ warfare presents unique challenges. Biological weapons developers have routinely developed germ strains, such as anthrax, smallpox, influenza, Mycoplasma, Brucella, and more, that are antibiotic resistant. At the same time, vaccines and vaccine manufacturers have proven themselves to be highly untrustworthy.

Moreover, in the event of a biological attack, the initial benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment may be jeopardized by a second wave of infection of the same microbe, or secondary infections with other germs. These are expected due to subsequent disease transmission by infected insects, such as flies, fleas, and ticks, and immune compromised victims in which secondary infections are common.

Typically, bacteria are classified either "Gram-positive" or "Gram-negative" due to their structure and staining characteristics, which reflect their susceptibility to certain antibiotics. The Penicillin family of antibiotics has been effective against Gram-positive infections. Alternatively, the Tetracyclines have been used successfully to combat Gram-negative agents. These will be discussed in more detail later.

Near the beginning of a widespread biological attack, it may be extremely difficult to determine precisely the causative agent, and thereby select the proper antibiotic. This is due to: 1) the latency, or slow growth period of the germ within exposed individuals, and 2) biological weapons specialists often mix microbes to be used in such a manner as to confuse diagnosis and delay effective treatment.

For instance, a consensus of authorities predicts inhalation anthrax is among the likeliest biological weapons to be used by terrorists. This is due to its relative ease of manufacture, durability of spores, and difficulty of delayed treatment. Anthrax is a Gram-positive rod-shaped Bacillus. To be more effective in killing large populations, authorities suggest that Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pasteurella tularensis, may accompany such attacks. This germ is likewise rod-shaped to confuse accurate diagnosis and delay time-critical treatment.

For the above reasons a "combination therapy" may be indicated and most useful in saving lives following a biological weapons attack.

Weights and Measurements

Safe and effective antibiotic dosages depend on accurate weights and measurements. For this reason, the following recommendations and basic knowledge is provided for lay civilians under emergency situations:

To accurately weigh antibiotics in an emergency, use the chart below. Begin by placing a ceramic cup on a postal scale. Weigh it. Next, add the powder you wish to weigh to the desired amount. For instance, if the cup alone weighs four ounces, and you require one ounce of powdered antibiotic (where, according to the chart, one ounce equals approximately thirty (30) grams, that is, thirty 1,000 milligram [mg.] doses), set (or tip) the scale at five ounces with the desired antibiotic.

The same method may be used for measuring liquid doses. However, one ounce of liquid antibiotic may weigh less than once ounce on a scale. For this reason it is wise to use a graduated measuring containing, if possible, for measuring liquids.

Weights, Measures and Conversions

Solid Weights and Measures
1 ounce (oz.) of solid = nearly 30 grams (Gm.)
1 pound (lb.) = 454 grams (Gm.)
1 kilogram (kg.) = 2.2 pounds (lb.)
1 gram (Gm.) = 1,000 milligrams (mg.)
1 grain (gr.) = 64.8 mg.

Liquid Weights and Measures
1 ounce (oz.) of liquid = nearly 30 milliliters (ml.)
1 pint = 473 ml. (sometimes rounded up to 480 ml.)
1 teaspoon (tsp.) = 5 ml.
1 tablespoon = 15 ml. (that is, half [.5] an ounce)
1 milliliter (common droppers held upright) = approximately 20 drops of liquid

Antibiotic Conversions
400,000 units of penicillin = 250 milligrams (mg.)

Antibiotic Usage and Duration of Treatment

Under normal circumstances, antibiotics are intended to be used for approximately one to two weeks. This duration is prescribed in order to kill more slowly growing germs, such as those initially in spore forms that require incubation for disease expression.

Emergency situations may require less careful treatment durations. This is particularly true if antibiotic shortages occur as expected following a biological weapons attack. In this case, rationing may be necessary and helpful in saving more lives. The shortest duration of antibiotic coverage recommended following a biological attack is from the onset of symptoms to at least 72 hours after the person's symptoms completely disappear.

Ideally, antibiotic prophylaxis (for prevention of disease) should begin as soon as a biological weapons attack is confirmed for individuals at risk of exposure. In other words, it is best to leave risky environments in advance of possible exposures. Certainly, urban populations are at greatest risk for biological and chemical weapons attacks.

Common Allergic Reactions to Antibiotics

Again, under normal circumstances, individuals who are hypersensitive, or allergic, to antibiotics should avoid taking them. However, following a biological weapons attack, it may warrant the risk of allergic reaction, particularly if antihistamines (such as Benadryl) are available, rather than contracting the infectious disease which is often more life-threatening. In this case, individuals who develop symptoms of allergy, including skin rashes, should ideally be under the care of a physician or hospital staff. Careful monitoring of even seemingly benign skin rashes is advised because of more urgent conditions that may result from simple allergic reactions.

Individuals with known allergies to specific antibiotics should, obviously, try to avoid taking these antibiotics. Alternative antibiotics, in this case, should be sought and used. For example, people allergic to penicillin may be able to effectively substitute erythromycin.

As detailed below, there are several types of penicillin, all of which may cause severe allergies and fatal reactions. Penicillin G and penicillin V have been known to cause more severe reactions than ampicillin. Similarly, penicillin injections have been known to cause more severe reactions than similar doses taken orally.

Approximately ten percent of people allergic to penicillin are also allergic to the cephalosporin antibiotics. The good news is that the incidence of deadly reactions to the entire class of cephalosporin antibiotics is very low.

In some liquid penicillins, manufacturers mix the anesthetic procaine (i.e., Novocain) into their formulas. Therefore, persons allergic to this commonly used dental anesthetic should avoid taking liquid penicillin suspensions.

The antibiotics suggested below for use in case of bioterrorism or biowarfare do not contain sulfur or "sulfa" drugs to which many people are allergic.

Preventive Foresight Regarding Pharmaceutical Supplies

The likeliest source of breaking news concerning a biological or chemical attack, launched by terrorists or other foes, is the mainstream media. By the time you hear such reports, it is likely that hospital emergency rooms, and doctor's offices, will be full of ailing victims. It typically takes a day or longer for symptoms of infectious diseases to manifest. The first signs and symptoms of a covert attack include inexplicable headaches and flu-like symptoms.

Such is the case with anthrax. The first indication of an anthrax attack, providing the strain had not been modified, is cattle becoming sick and dying. This can happen in a matter of hours. Moreover, this is an indication to begin antibiotic prophylaxis.

Under such trying circumstances, you can expect there to be tremendous demand for medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in the wake of a terrorist attack. It is, therefore, highly advisable to consider beforehand what medical supplies might be essential for your survival and the protection of your loved ones.

Obviously, people on a regimen of prescription drugs should stock, perhaps, a three months supply in a cool, dark, and dry closet or basement.

Antibiotics can be purchased in bulk from pharmacists or livestock and veterinarian supply stores.

In case you need to leave your home or workplace in an emergency, try to plan, in advance, transporting your antibiotics and other medicinal requirements with you. Maintain access to standard emergency kits, particularly during times of possible trouble. Keeping one in your car is a good idea, providing the car doesn't overheat.

Given these constraints, diabetics, on the move in an emergency, should try to keep their insulin at room temperature until they are resettled. Above 80 degrees and while freezing insulin will begin to degrade.

In general, when traveling or storing antibiotics and medications in your car, be aware of extreme temperatures. Extreme heat and cold often inactivates, like insulin, many medicines.

A Simplified Guide to Antibiotics and Their Uses

Penicillins

The original penicillin-G (Pen G), along with more the common penicillin-V (Pen V), are used to fight gram-positive bacteria, such as anthrax. Pentids, the brand name for penicillin-G, come in 400 and 800mg pills. Brand names for penicillin-V include V-Cillin-K and Pen Vee K. The basic Pen G may be purchased from farm and veterinary stores for far less expense than through pharmacies, though make sure you only buy the refrigerated brand. The active ingredients in the unrefrigerated variety are far lower and potentially inadequate.

Pen G must be taken on an empty stomach. This is not as critical for Pen V. A dose of 250mg (i.e., 400,000 units), for people weighing 50 pounds or more, is taken four times daily. A rule of thumb for children weighing less than 50 pounds, the dosage should be reduced by 20% for every 10 pounds of less body weight.

These penicillins are more likely to cause allergic reactions, and fatalities, than synthetic penicillins such as ampicillin. Some of the allergic reactions are caused by procaine (Novocain) that is added in some Pen G formulas.

Ampicillin

Brand names of this synthetic penicillin include Principen, Omnipen, Polycillin and Totacillin. These are also affective against gram-positive microbes such as anthrax.

Dosages of ampicillin are the same prescribed for penicillin. This antibiotic should be taken, ideally, on an empty stomach.

Strains of anthrax that resist penicillin may be more susceptible to destruction by ampicillin. Also, ampicillin may be more helpful than penicillin for killing a broader spectrum of infections.

Cephalosporins

These are also effective against anthrax. One gram of Cephalexin taken every six hours is recommended. Brand names for this are Keflex, Keflet and Keftab. One gram of the related Cefadroxil, brand named Duricef, should be taken every twelve hours.

Erythromycin (Macrolide family of antibiotics)

Erythromycin and its relatives provide a broader spectrum of coverage than penicillins. Brand names of Erythromycin Pediamycin, Erythrocin, Eryc, EES, Ery-Tab, PCE, Ilosone, and E-Mycin. Other related antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) and azithromycin (Z-pak or Zithromax) may also be effective. A liquid form of erythromycin, called Gallimycin, is available for injection. The oral dose of this injectable product is the same.

Taken on an empty stomach, this may be used to treat more difficult cases of anthrax. If upset stomach occurs, it should be consumed with a bit of food. Avoid eating citrus fruits or products, which deactivate these antibiotics during digestion. Note: Fatal heart attacks may result from taking these antibiotics in combination with Seldane (terfenadine), Hismanal, or Seldane-D.

For individuals weighing 150 pounds or more, a 500mg dose is recommended. People weighing less should reduce their dosage proportionately.

Aminoglycosides

These antibiotics that are effective against anthrax, tularemia, and the Bubonic plague, include: Streptomycin, Gentamycin, and Neomycin. They can all be extremely toxic. Primary organs at risk for destruction by the aminoglycosides include the kidneys and inner ears.

Each of the aminoglycosides must be injected, and cannot be taken orally. The oral dosage forms of these antibiotics are effective only against gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections of the stomach and intestines.

Gentamycin (Garacin) powder can be purchased in bulk. It cannot be absorbed when taken orally, but it can be effective against certain biologicals striking the GI tract such as botulism.

Streptomycin, taken two to four times daily, in one to four gram doses, equally spaced throughout the day. It can be used in combination with tetracycline until the person's fever breaks. Then the tetracycline can be continued alone. Otherwise, streptomycin should be used consistently for a week to ten days.

Gentamycin, is effective against tularemia and the plague. It should be injected intramuscularly or intravenously every eight hours in emergency measures of 1.7mg per kilogram body weight. As soon as symptoms of disease disappear, the dose should be reduced to 1.0mg per kilogram of body weight for the remaining 7-10 day period.

This antibiotic is available in bulk through veterinary stores. It is likely that this less expensive product may be successfully used orally to defend against the plague or tularemia germs infecting the gut.

Neomycin, when given in doses of 500mg, four times daily, may be helpful against anthrax, plague, and tularemia, though it has not been traditionally prescribed for these. Use this only if the other aminoglycoside antibiotics are unavailable.

Fluoroquinolones

In daily doses of 30mg per kg. of body weight (i.e., 65mg. per pound), Ciproflavoxin (Cipro) is effective against tularemia and anthrax. The daily dose should be divided into four doses taken every six hours for two weeks. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, this extremely expensive drug has been in high demand as the FDA's antibiotic of choice against anthrax. Disturbing politics regarding this selection and its manufacturer-Bayer-may be found at http://www.tetrahedron.org.

Chloramphenicol

Effective against anthrax, tularemia and plague, Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) has a relatively high rate of lethal side effects. Thus, persons allergic to safer antibiotics should only use it, or in the event other medications are unavailable. More expensive than other antibiotics, this injectable product can also be consumed orally and absorbed effectively into the bloodstream. Ideally, taken on an empty stomach, it may be consumed with food to reduce stomach upsets.

Chloramphenicol has the same spectrum of activity as erythromycin. Thus, it should never be given with erythromycin unless under emergency conditions at the first sign of biowarfare-induced illness. It may, however, be taken with Tetracycline for a broader spectrum of effectiveness. This combination may be wise if it is unclear which biological weapon is causing illness, and if rationing is not in effect.

The injectable form of chloramphenicol tastes awful! For people weighing 200 pounds or more, 2,500mg doses recommended.

Tetracyclines

Tetracyclines (brand named Sumycin and Achromycin-V) are broad-spectrum antibiotics available from farm supply shops and veterinary stores in the form of oxytetracycline. These can be used effectively against all most strains of anthrax, plague, and tularemia.

Oxytetracycline comes in bulk powder form under the brand name Terramycin-343. It also comes in combination with livestock feed (Advance Calf Medic). This could be used in a pinch if other antibiotics were unavailable. There are 3 grams of active antibiotic in each pound of feed. A low dose could be provided by consuming almost 1.5 ounces; a high dose twice that could be measured and eaten.

Two newer classes of tetracycline are Doxycycline and Minocycline . Brand names for these tetracyclines include the Doxycyclines-Vibramycin, Vibra-tabs, Monodox and Doryx; and the Minocyclines called Minocin.

Tetracycline is typically taken four times a day, doxycyclines once per day or twice per day when taken with Minocycline. The two newer cyclines can be taken with food, not the older tetracycline. They, thus, tend to cause fewer stomach upsets. Doxycycline is typically less costly than traditional tetracycline, and Doxycycline and Minocycline provide a broader spectrum of antibiotic effectiveness than the old standard. Stains of biological weapons the may have been manufactured to resist tetracycline might be more susceptible to the newer cyclones.

As a rule of thumb, four 250mg doses of tetracycline are prescribed daily, that is, one dose every six hours for your typical 100-pound person. For persons weighing less than 100 pound, reduce this dose accordingly. For instance, if a 100-pound person receives 1,000mg per day, then a 50-pound person would receive 500mg per day, or four 125mg doses q. 6 hours. The Doxycycline dosage is typically 200mg the first day, and 100mg doses following for up to ten days. The oxytetracycline (Terramycin) dose is the same as standard tetracycline. Another alternative tetracycline, called demeclocycline (Declomycin), may be substituted for standard tetracycline employing the same dose schedule as well.

Preserving and Administering Your Antibiotics

Most antibiotics and drugs can be preserved by refrigeration, so long as they are kept dry. If traveling through extreme temperatures, antibiotics should be encased in Styrofoam containers, at best, and efforts should be made to avoid heat or freezing cold.

Warning: No drug should be consumed beyond its expiration date, especially Tetracycline antibiotics. Severe reactions may result from this expired antibiotic. However, when faced with a life-or-death situation, as might be presented with biological warfare or bioterrorism, such chances might have to be taken.

Antibiotics are typically administered orally or by injection. However, if the patient is comatose, the oral route may be circumvented rectally by using a plastic oral syringe available in most drugstores. This should be inserted as deeply into the rectum as possible. Use of a few drops of water, then larger amounts of cocoa butter, for dissolving the antibiotic. Cocoa butter is available in most drugstores in sticks that are melted in a jar placed in hot water. The butter is commonly used for suppositories and will hold the antibiotic for absorption better than water. Water may run out of the rectum and thereby precious antibiotic may be lost. So if water is all you have, use as little as possible to dissolve and inject the measured amount of powdered antibiotic.

Antibiotic tablets can be crushed and powdered by placing them between two napkins on a hard surface and pounding them with another flat hard object or instrument.

The absorption of active antibiotic is less, given the rectal route of administration. For this reason, the dosages should be increased to compensate.

Maintaining Healthy Gut Flora and Immunity

Three primary factors determine the outcome of a biological attack on any one individual: 1) the quantity of germs to which the person has been exposed, 2) the "pathogenicity" or power of the germs to cause disease, which depends on the unique strain, and 3) the "host resistance." This depends on the vitality of the individual's immune system.

Obviously, in the event of a biological or chemical attack, the first two factors are largely, if not entirely, beyond the control of individuals. It is upon this liability that terrorists act. But people can make a profound difference affecting the third factor-human immunity-by making a few simple choices. The first is, maintaining a healthy gut flora.

According to scientific literature, the bacteria in the large and small intestine help digest foods, support nutrient assimilation from foods, are critical in preventing infectious diseases for a number of reasons. For instance, Lactobacilli, commonly found in healthy guts, helps prevent infections from eating foods contaminated with biologicals such as Botulism. A healthy gut micro flora also helps with the elimination of harmful cholesterol, toxic chemicals, and cancer-causing compounds, both natural and man-made. More than 90% of human immunity is, in fact, tied to lymphatic activity around the gut. Consequently, a healthy immune system is largely dependant on the intestinal flora.

Ideally, soil-based microbes, typically found on organically grown foods, should be consumed for boosting natural immunity against infectious diseases, including anthrax and other potential biological weapons. Far more effective than eating yogurt that contains Lactobacilli, there are several products available in good health food stores that supply a full pro-biotic spectrum of soil-based microbes that many alternative health professionals have been prescribing with very favorable results. One such product is called GI Flora Pro (http://www.healingcelebrations.com; 1-888-508-4787), which sells for about $29 for a 30-day supply.
A five-step protocol for boosting natural immunity to help fight biological attacks is available from a non-profit publishing company, Tetrahedron Publishing Group (http://www.tetrahedron.org; 1-800-336-9266). Their information includes how to: 1) detoxify your body, 2) deacidify your body, 3) boost natural immunity, 4) oxygenate the blood and other body tissues, and 5) bioelectrically manage infectious diseases and recoveries. The material is presented in a 225 page hardcover book titled, Healing Celebrations: Miraculous Recoveries Through Ancient Scriptures, Natural Medicine and Modern Science. The book sells for $22.85, and the advice may be life saving.

Biological Weapons
The following chart presents the biological weapons most likely to be used during a terrorist attack, and details concerning its diagnosis and treatment:

Agent	Gram Staining	First Symptoms and Treatment
Anthrax	positive	Headache, fever, coughing, confusion, rash, joint and joint and muscle pain. Tx: Tetracyclines, Pen G, ampicillin and erythromycin.
Botulism	positive	Weakness, blurred vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, spreaking weakness, Tx: Horse antitoxin
Bubonic plague	negative	Fever, headache, abdominal distress, inability to sit or stand, swollen glands particularly in the groin, Tx: Hydration and Tetracycline
Cholera	negative	Watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, Tx: Hydration and Tetracycline
Dengue fever	parasite	Intense aching in head, muscles and joints, and fever. Second bout is accompanied by a destructive rash . Tx: none but symptom managmt.
Ebola	virus	headache, fever, malaise, cough, rash, and bleeding out. Tx: palliative
Enterotoxin B	positive	Staphylococcus causes headache, nausea, fever and weakness Tx: Tetracycline, Doxycycline or broad spectrum antibiotics.
Encephalitis	virus	Fever and headache, meningeal irritation, swollen parotid glands like mumps, skin rash with some, seizures, brain dysfunction. Tx: palliative
Smallpox	variola virus	Severe headache, high fever, skin rashes with vesicular and pustular stages of lesions. Death by secondary infections. Tx: palliative.
Tularemia	negative	Fever, malaise, headache, liver swelling, ulcerating skin lesions, possible lung involvement with coughing. Tx: Streptomycin, Tetracycline and chloramphenicol.

Chemical Weapons
The following chart presents the chemical weapons most likely to be used during a terrorist attack, and details concerning diagnosis and self aid:

Agent	Type	Smell	Symptoms and Self Aid
Tubun 'GA'	Nerve	Fruity	Tightness in chest. Difficulty breathing. Runny nose. Eyepain and blurred vision. Nausea, seating, salivation, elevated pulse, heartburn, vomiting, giddiness, muscle spasms, involuntary urination, paralysis and respiratory arrest. Tx: Wash off immediately and completely. Inject 2mg atropine into thigh, followed by 4gm. Shot of parlidoxine mesylate (oxime). If symptoms persist, give atropine again-two more 2mg doses at 15 minute intervals. Apply emergency first aid, including CPR for artificial respiration for approximately 2 hours if breathing stops. Atropine can cause serious side effects and must not be used unless there is certainty that nerve gas has caused the poisoning.
Sarin 'GB'	Nerve	Little	Same as above.
Soman 'GD'	Nerve	Camphor	Same as above.
VX	Nerve	Unknown	Same as above.
Mustard	Blister	Garlic	Eye and skin irritant causes blistering of skin and lung damage. High risk of developing pneumonia. Symptoms delayed for up to 48 hours. Can be fatal. Tx: Wash off contamination immediately and completely with water. Later washes will cause worse pain. Use mydriatics, antibiotics, and local anesthetics to reduce pain. Treat blisters palliatively as burns. Bed rest.
Phosgene	Choking	?	Lung damage. Causes victim to drown in own mucous. Tx: Same as above.
"CN"	Incapacitating	Blossom	Eye and skin irritant. Tearing with breathing difficulty. Nausea and headache common. Tx: Codeine for cough and plenty of warmth, oxygen and bed rest.
"CS"	Incapacitating	Pepper	Severe eye irritant. Causes coughing, tearing, flu-like symptoms, nausea, and breathing problems. Tx: Wash eyes thoroughly with warm soap and water. Breath lots of fresh air. Bed rest.
"BZ"	Incapacitating	?	Skin flushes. Heart pounds irregularly with hastened pulse. Hallucination, giddiness and maniacal behavior. Tx: Restrain victim. Quiet bedrest.

Clean Water and Adequate Hydration
Having a pure water source following a biological or chemical weapons attack is critical for two main reasons: 1) Victims frequently become dehydrated, and 2) Purified, or distilled, water is needed for detoxification of blood, liver, and kidneys. Following a biological or even chemical weapons attack, water supplies may be contaminated. Water distillers may be purchased, but most require electric power to run. The best transportable, non-electric, water filtration system available is the British Berkefeld®. It typically sells for $279 (http://www.prophecyandpreparedness.com; 1-208-265-2575) and is the ideal hardware to have on hand to filter potentially contaminated water supplies in emergency or survival situations.

Healthy Food Intake and Supplies
Consider what could happen to food supplies in the wake of an anthrax attact. Cattle herds would likely need to be slaughtered causing a run on remaining beef and dairy supplies. Prices for these commodities would skyrocket. Contaminated grains might also need to be burned to prevent further spreading of the anthrax spores during harvesting and transport. Prices would likely rise here as well. There may be greatly increased demand for flour, grains, dried cereal, and probably other baking supplies as well. This is why many people have begun to stockpile some of these resources as well.

You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat." If you decide to stock up on essential food supplies for survival, it's wise to think of boosting your immunity along with receiving the greatest value for what you spend. The first and finest grain you might want to stockpile for these concerns is called amaranth. Its cost is reasonable, you can use if for baking, and best of all, it contains all of the amino acids and enzymes you need for life. The Aztec and Mayan civilizations depended mainly on amaranth and good pure water for their strength and survival.

Ideally, for immunity, you want to be eating organically grown foods. One product that contains a hefty amount of organic amaranth, and other nutritionally wholesome and immunologically supportive ingredients is called Green Harvest. Most people, under emergency conditions, could live off of this good tasting powdered food formula, mixed with water or organic juice(s). Green Harvest is available in select health-food stores, and from the manufacturer (http://www.healingcelebrations.com; 1-888-508-4787). It costs less than $35 for a one month supply. The manufacturer supplies this product by the case at large discounts for families that wish to stock up. Their website also provides a host of other products and educational resources for boosting natural immunity for preventive health care and improved recovery rates from infectious diseases and cancers.

This document was written and posted
courtesy of Dr. Leonard G. Horowitz
and Tetrahedron Publishing Group
206 North 4th Avenue, Suite 147
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
http://www.tetrahedron.org
Toll free order line: 888-508-4787;
Office telephone: 208-265-2575;
FAX: 208-265-2775
E-mail: tetra@tetrahedron.org

Due to the urgency of getting this information to the general public, all copyrights on this text have been waved by Dr. Horowitz, October 1, 2000. Please feel free to distribute this information in any form.