(b) Dizziness, mental confusion, or double or blurred vision.
(c)
Coughing.
(d) Fever, aching muscles, and fatigue.
(e) Difficulty in swallowing.
(f)
Shock.
(g)
Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
(h) Bleeding from body openings, or blood in urine, stool or sputum
(spit).
4-8.
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS DURING AN ATTACK
a. Put on your protective mask immediately and keep clothing buttoned up.
Agents can gain entry through clothing using two routes.
(1) First, through openings such as buttonholes, zipped areas, stitching, and
poor sealing at ankles, wrist and neck.
(2) A second way is through minute pores in the fabric of clothing. Putting
on one's protective ensemble greatly increases the protection level of the individual
soldier. Toxins, however, require the same amount of protection as liquid chemical
agents.
b. Since there is no rapid warning, soldiers should take the same action for a
biological attack as that prescribed for a chemical attack. After a suspected biological
attack, samples should be taken with the M34, M256 series, or CBASK.
4-9.
TREATMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AGENT CASUALTIES
Appropriate self-aid, buddy-aid, and medical treatment will vary depending on the
agent. Some symptoms may appear in minutes; others may not appear even hours
after a toxin attack.
a. Decontaminate. Soldiers should decontaminate immediately. The M258A1,
or M291 decontamination kits should be used. Another recommended cleansing agent
is soap and water.
b. Identify. Identify the type of biological attack from samples taken and by
observing the signs and symptoms exhibited by the casualties. Treating those
symptoms. Early recognition of symptoms and their treatment will increase recovery
time.
MD0534
4-6