1. Get Vaccinated
A vaccine exists for anthrax poisoning, but it must be administered by a trained professional. It usually involves a series of injections over time--three in the first month, then three more each spaced 6 months apart. If you are planning on going abroad and want to inoculate yourself, plan to start getting the shots a good 18 months in advance.
2. Stay Away From Livestock
Though a lot of recent worries about anthrax involve its use as a biological weapon, most cases only affect people who handle livestock. The anthrax bacteria can be found in animal herds and rural locations outside of the city. Avoid those areas if you can and don't interact with any farm animals such as cows, sheep, pigs and horses.
3. Know Your Source
Make sure you know where your meat comes from; anthrax can be contracted by eating the meat of infected animals. This can be very tough to treat, because it initially looks like any other kind of food poisoning--unpleasant, but not fatal. You develop a fever, mild chest pain and maybe stomach cramps. The real effects aren't felt for several days, when the conditions suddenly take a turn for the worse. Unconsciousness and death soon follow. Luckily, meat in most developed countries undergoes strict hygiene tests to ensure that it is safe. For the most part, you can consume meat in Europe and North America without concern of anthrax poisoning. When traveling to the Third World, however, you may want to stay away from the local meat dishes if you are concerned about anthrax poisoning.
4. Treat Cuts Promptly
Though it is uncommon, anthrax can be contracted if you have an open cut and are moving through an area where anthrax is present. Sterilize any cuts or breaks in your skin and bandage them as soon as you discover them.
5. Take Antibiotics
Anthrax is rarely fatal if treated quickly. If you detect signs of anthrax poisoning, get to a doctor and have him administer antibiotics. This course of treatment should prevent the worst of it if taken soon enough. Antibiotics can cause problems if taken indiscriminately, so let a doctor administer them. Officials do not recommend storing antibiotics for home use in the event of a terrorist attack.
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