What actions should be taken by someone who has inhaled a chemical agent?
If you have inhaled chemical or toxic fumes, you should get into fresh air straight away. Open doors and windows wide. If you are with someone who has inhaled toxic fumes, seek medical attention immediately. If they have collapsed, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and start resuscitation.
How can biological attacks be prevented?
If provided before exposure, active immunization or prophylaxis with antibiotics may prevent illness. Effective vaccines and antitoxins exist for several of the agents most likely to be used in a biological weapons attack. Additional vaccines and new therapies are needed, and some are under development.
How do you treat biological weapons?
People are given vaccines, antibiotics, or antiviral drugs depending on the specific infectious organism involved. Sometimes people who have been in contact with the affected people are given preventive treatment. For many biological weapons, there is no specific treatment or vaccine.
How do you control biological weapons?
Treaties, international agreements, and political pursuits have not been able either to control or to rid the world of bioweapons. The tools for specific defense against bioweapons consist of vaccines against both viruses and bacteria, and of antibiotics and drugs against bacteria.
What should you do if you are exposed to a biological agent?
If you have been exposed to a biological agent, remove and bag your clothes and personal items. Follow official instructions for disposal of contaminated items. Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes. Contact authorities and seek medical assistance.
Which is an example of a biological agent?
Biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, other microorganisms and their associated toxins. They have the ability to adversely affect human health in a variety of ways, ranging from relatively mild, allergic reactions to serious medical conditions—even death.
When is the first evidence of a biological attack?
The first evidence of an attack may be when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by exposure to an agent. In the event of a biological attack, public health officials may not immediately be able to provide information on what you should do.
What makes a person sick in a bioterrorism attack?
Bioterrorism A biological attack is the deliberate release of germs or other biological substances that can make you sick. There are three basic groups of biological agents that could likely be used as weapons: bacteria, viruses and toxins.