7-7. Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Agent Poisoning

Table of Contents

The symptoms of nerve agent poisoning are grouped as MILD — those that you recognize and for which you can perform self-aid, and SEVERE — those which require buddy aid.

• a. MILD Signs and Symptoms.
• • • Unexplained runny nose.
  • • Unexplained sudden headache.
  • • Sudden drooling.
  • • Difficulty seeing (dimness of vision and miosis).
  • • Tightness in the chest or difficulty in breathing.
  • • Localized sweating and muscular twitching in the area of contaminated skin.
  • • Stomach cramps.
  • • Nausea.
  • • Tachycardia followed by bradycardia. (Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heartbeat with a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is a slow heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.)
• b. SEVERE Signs and Symptoms.
• • • Strange or confused behavior.
  • • Wheezing, dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), and coughing.
  • • Severely pinpointed pupils.
  • • Red eyes with tearing.
  • • Vomiting.
  • • Severe muscular twitching and general weakness.
  • • Involuntary urination and defecation.
  • • Convulsions.
  • • Unconsciousness.
  • • Respiratory failure.
  • • Bradycardia.