May 17, 2013 Inhalation (or respiratory) anthrax is an
infectious disease caused by breathing in the spores of the
bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Back to TopAlternative Names
Anthrax - inhalation Back to TopCauses Anthrax commonly affects
hoofed animals such as sheep and goats, but humans can get sick
from anthrax, too. Historically, the main risk factor for
getting anthrax was some type of contact with contaminated
animal hides, hair, bone products, and wool. Inhalation anthrax
was most commonly contracted when workers breathed in airborne
anthrax spores, which were released during industrial processes
such as tanning hides and processing wool. Breathing in spores
means a person has been exposed to the disease, but it doesn't
mean they'll get symptoms. The bacteria spores must "germinate,"
or sprout ( the same way a seed might before a flower grows)
before the actual disease occurs. The process can take up to 60
days. Once the spores germinate, they release several toxic
substances, which cause internal bleedi