The degree of fever varies with the individual,
depending on the persons resistance. However, fever
does serve as a rough guide to the severity of infection.
Often a violent chill precedes the fever. Whether the
chill occurs or not, fever is usually one of the earliest
symptoms.
Malaise is a feeling of bodily discomfort and
weakness. There may be nausea, dizziness, loss of
appetite, and general aches and pains.
Inflammation is caused by the reaction of body
tissues combating and sealing off an infection. In almost
every case there is pain, redness, and swelling. Some
types of infection result in a characteristic rash, making
it possible for a doctor to make an early diagnosis.
REVIEW 2 QUESTIONS
Q1. B W
i s
t h e
i n t e n t i o n a l
u s e
o f
( a )
________________ to disable or destroy (b)
___________.
Q2. What is the disadvantage an enemy has when
using BW agents?
Q3. List the symptoms of biological disease in its
early stages.
a.
b.
c.
NUCLEAR WARFARE
Learning Objectives: When you finish this chapter,
you will be able
Recall the terms used with nuclear warfare.
Identify the types of nuclear warfare and the
effects of nuclear weapons.
Identify self-aid and first-aid methods for
countering the effects of nuclear radiation.
Recall the difference between radiological and
radiation contamination.
13-7
Student Notes:
Disease
(common name)
Causative
Agent
Physiological Effects
Time to
effect
Anthrax
Bacillus
anthracis
Mild fever and fatigue, worsening to severe respiratory
disorders, high fever and excessively rapid pulse rate. Death
can occur within 5-12 days of exposure if left untreated.
Pulmonary anthrax is fatal more than 90% of the time.
1-5 days
Plague
Yersinia
pestis
Fever, headache, and rapid heart rate, followed by pneumonia
and hemorrhaging in the skin and mucous membranes.
Untreated plague pneumonia fatalities approach 100%, but
early treatment can reduce mortality to as low as 5%.
2-3 days
Tularemia
Francisella
tularensis
Symptoms include fever, chills, headache and muscular pain.
Untreated tularemia can result in 30-60% mortality; treated,
the mortality rate is reduced to 1%.
3-5 days
Botulinum Toxin
Clostridium
botulinum
Initial symptoms include extreme weakness, nausea,
headaches, and intestinal pain leading to respiratory paralysis
that may cause death.
2-26 hours
Table 13-2.Characteristics for Selected BW Agents