The Article in Brief

Inhalational anthrax is a very rare infectious disease that resembles many other common diseases, such as influenza, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis. Because of this resemblance, patients are likely to go to their primary care doctors when anthrax symptoms arise. The resemblance to other diseases also makes inhalational anthrax difficult to diagnose. Primary care doctors have a key role to play in recognizing and responding to bioterrorism events, such as inhalational anthrax, and should be included in educational efforts for such events.