[tbeatty]

They misdiagnosed it. I didn't think penicillin did squat for this and there is a special Anthrax antibiotic. My guess is that this disease is more common than people think but since it is still rare and often misdiagnosed, we don't hear about it. They go "lucky" in diagnosing this one since a lab tech had just finished CDC training on bio-terror weapons and recognized the Anthrax stuff.

Once the bacteria get to the lymph nodes, it's difficult (impossible?) to stop death. Also, keep in mind that this person was 63. My guess is that it looked like his lungs were clearing while the bug made it's way to the lymphatic system so thry tagged him as "responding."

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

That is my point they had him on penicillin, note that they did not state what other antibiotics/treatments were used. Or did they ever? Something smells fishy.

They used a ridiculous statement to 'try' to prove it was not a terrorist attack.

[MarMema]

"They go "lucky" in diagnosing this one since a lab tech had just finished CDC training on bio-terror weapons and recognized the Anthrax stuff."

We gram stain and culture all cerebrospinal fluids and most sputums. If anything we culture too much.

[apackof2]

My guess is that it looked like his lungs were clearing
while the bug made it's way to the lymphatic system so thry tagged him as "responding."

From what I have read "responding" (temporarily of coarse) is one of the symptoms.