How is anthrax different than viral infections?

Answer 1

Actually, anthrax is the toxin released by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, the etiologic agent of anthrax itself. The toxin by itself is enough to cause the systemic disease that anthrax is known for, and could present in the forms of cutaneous anthrax (through the skin), pulmonary anthrax (in the lungs), and gastrointestinal anthrax (in the intestines)--the most lethal pathophysiology of them all is perhaps the pulmonary route.

All this action is mediated by the anthrax toxin, which is but a protein structure in nature--a big difference compared to viruses since viruses contain nucleic acids that are encapsulated by a protein capsule. Toxins do not cause infections, since they are only chemical in nature; viruses, although considered as non-cellular in nature, do infect other cells by injecting their viral nucleic acid/s inside the cell and taking over the protein synthesis of the host cell.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Anthrax is a chemical, not a biological