Pulmonary anthrax is acute in onset, with symptoms beginning 2-5 days after exposure, similar to the flu, and may include low-grade fever, fatigue and pressure in the precordial region.
After a few days, the symptoms may suddenly worsen, with symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, fever, coughing, bloody mucus sputum and, in severe cases, high fever, chills, dyspnoea and cyanosis, which may be accompanied by pleural effusion. The pulmonary manifestations are not consistent with the condition. Chest X-ray may reveal widening of the mediastinum, pleural fluid and infiltrative shadows in the lungs. It is often complicated by sepsis and meningitis.
Untimely diagnosis and treatment can result in toxic shock, respiratory failure or circulatory failure within 1 to 2 days of the onset of symptoms, with a high mortality rate.