injuries and poisoning
Pulmonary Chemical Warfare Agents
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Chemical Warfare Injuries
A doctor's evaluation Chest x-ray Frequent evaluation for deterioration Sometimes bronchoscopy Doctors and first responders base the diagnosis of exposure to a chemical weapon on the person's symptoms. They listen to the person's breathing. People with an initially noisy chest and prominent symptoms were likely exposed to a type 1 agent. People with a relatively quiet chest and whose shortness of breath is delayed were probably exposed to a type 2 agent. Chest x-ray may initially appear normal but later on develop characteristic abnormalities. Sometimes doctors insert a flexible tube with a camera into the airways ( Bronchoscopy ) to see the extent of airway damage. Bronchoscopy can confirm damage done by type 1 agents but may miss early damage done by type 2 agents. Laboratory testing is not helpful to doctors as they make an initial diagnosis, but they usually monitor the oxygen level in the person's blood to help determine whether the person is deteriorating. 