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At Last... Real Info On Bio-Weapons
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>>With all the hysteria that has been going around about the use of biological weapons (not to mention chemical and nuclear), I think the best antidote of all is education and level-headedness. So here is a great article that tells you the *real* story. Remember, terrorists can't win if we aren't terrified.
Since the media has decided to scare everyone with predictions of chemical, biological, or nuclear warfare on our turf I decided to write a paper and keep things in their proper perspective. I am a retired military weapons, munitions, and training expert. Lesson number one: In the mid 1990's there were a series of nerve gas attacks on crowded Japanese subway stations. Given perfect conditions for an attack less than 10% of the people there were injured (the injured were better in a few hours) and only one percent of the injured died. 60 Minutes once had a fellow telling us that one drop of nerve gas could kill a thousand people; well he didn't tell you the thousand dead people per drop was theoretical.
Drill Sergeants exaggerate how terrible this stuff was to keep the recruits awake in class (I know this because I was a Drill Sergeant too). Forget everything you've ever seen on TV, in the movies, or read in a novel about this stuff, it was all a lie (read this sentence again out loud!)! These weapons are about terror, if you remain calm, you will probably not die. This is far less scary than the media and their "Experts," make it sound.
Chemical weapons are categorized as Nerve, Blood, Blister, and Incapacitating agents. Contrary to the hype of reporters and politicians they are not weapons of mass destruction. Instead, they are "Area denial", and terror weapons that don't destroy anything. When you leave the area you almost always leave the risk. That's the difference; you can leave the area and the risk; soldiers may have to stay put and sit through it and that's why they need all that spiffy gear.
These are not gasses; they are vapors or air borne particles. The agent must be delivered in sufficient quantity to kill or injure, and that defines when and how it's used. Every day we have a morning and evening inversion where "stuff," suspended in the air gets pushed down. This inversion is why allergies (pollen) and air pollution are worst at these times of the day. So, a chemical attack will have its best effect an hour of so either side of sunrise and sunset. Also, being vapors and airborne particles they are heavier than air so they will seek low places like ditches, basements and underground garages.
This stuff won't work when it's freezing, it doesn't last when it's hot, and wind spreads it too thin - too fast. They've got to get this stuff on you, or, get you to inhale it for it to work. They also have to get the concentration of chemicals high enough to kill or wound you. Too little and it's nothing, too much and it's wasted. What I hope you've gathered by this point is that a chemical weapons attack that kills a lot of people is incredibly hard to do with military grade agents and equipment so you can imagine how hard it will be for terrorists. The more you know about this stuff the more you realize how hard it is to use.
We'll start by talking about nerve agents. You have these in your house; plain old bug killer (like Raid) is nerve agent. All nerve agents work the same way; they are cholinesterase inhibitors that mess up the signals your nervous system uses to make your body function. It can harm you if you get it on your skin but it works best if they can get you to inhale it. If you don't die in the first minute and you can leave the area
you're probably gonna live. The military's antidote for all nerve agents is atropine and pralidoxime chloride. Neither one of these does anything to cure the nerve agent, they send your body into overdrive to keep you alive for five minutes, after that the agent is used up. Your best protection is fresh air and staying calm.
Listed below are the symptoms for nerve agent poisoning. Sudden headache,
Dimness of vision (someone you're looking at will have pinpointed pupils),
Runny nose, Excessive saliva or drooling, Difficulty breathing, Tightness in chest, Nausea, Stomach cramps, Twitching of exposed skin where a liquid just got on you. If you are in public and you start experiencing these symptoms, first ask yourself, did anything out of the ordinary just happen, a loud pop, did someone spray something on the crowd? Are other people getting sick too?
Is there an odor of new mown hay, green corn, something fruity, or camphor where it shouldn't be? If the answer is yes, then calmly (if you panic you breathe faster and inhale more air/poison) leave the area and head up wind, or, outside.
Fresh air is the best "right now antidote". If you have a blob of liquid that looks like molasses or Kayro syrup on you; blot it or scrape it off and away from yourself with anything disposable. This stuff works based on your body weight, what a crop duster uses to kill bugs won't hurt you unless you stand there and breathe it in real deep, then lick the residue off the ground for while. Remember they have to do all the work, they have to get the concentration up and keep it up for several minutes while all you have to do is quit getting it on you--quit breathing it by putting space between you and the attack.
Blood agents are cyanide or arsine, which affect your blood's ability to provide oxygen to your tissue. The scenario for attack would be the same as nerve agent. Look for a pop or someone splashing or spraying something and folks around there getting woozy and falling down. The telltale smells are bitter almonds or garlic where it shouldn't be. The symptoms are blue lips, blue under the fingernails rapid breathing. The military's antidote is amyl nitride and just like nerve agent antidote it just keeps your body working for five minutes till the toxins are used up. Fresh air is the your best individual chance.
Blister agents (distilled mustard) are so nasty that nobody wants to even handle it let alone use it. It's almost impossible to handle safely and may have delayed effect of up to 12 hours. The attack scenario is also limited to the things you'd see from other chemicals. If you do get large, painful blisters for no apparent reason, don't pop them, if you must, don't let the liquid from the blister get on any other area, the stuff just keeps on spreading. It's just as likely to harm the user as the target. Soap, water, sunshine, and fresh air are this stuff's enemy.
Bottom line on chemical weapons (it's the same if they use industrial chemical spills); they are intended to make you panic, to terrorize you, to herd you like sheep to the wolves. If there is an attack, leave the area and go upwind, or to the sides of the wind stream. They have to get the stuff to you, and on you. You're more likely to be hurt by a drunk driver on any given day than be hurt by one of these attacks. Your odds get better if you leave the area. Soap, water, time, and fresh air really deal this stuff a knock-out-punch. Don't let fear of an isolated attack rule your life. The odds are really on your side.
Nuclear bombs. These are the only weapons of mass destruction on earth.
The effects of a nuclear bomb are heat, blast, EMP, and radiation. If you see a bright flash of light like the sun, where the sun isn't, fall to the ground! The heat will be over a second. Then there will be two blast waves, one out going, and one on it's way back. Don't stand up to see what happened after the first wave; anything that's going to happen will have happened in two full minutes.
These will be low yield devices and will not level whole cities. If you live through the heat, blast, and initial burst of radiation, you'll probably live for a very, very long time. Radiation will not create fifty-foot tall women, or giant ants and grass hoppers the size of tanks.
These will be at the most 1-kiloton bombs; that's the equivalent of 1,000 tons of TNT.
Here's the real deal, flying debris and radiation will kill a lot of exposed (not all!) people within a half mile of the blast. Under perfect conditions this is about a half-mile circle of death and destruction, but when it's done it's done. EMP stands for Electro Magnetic Pulse and it will fry every electronic device for a good distance, it's impossible to say what and how far but probably not over a couple of miles from ground zero is a good guess. Cars, cell phones, computers, ATMs, you name it, all will be out of order.
There are lots of kinds of radiation, you only need to worry about three; the others you have lived with for years. You need to worry about "ionizing radiation", these are little sub atomic particles that go whizzing along at the speed of light. They hit individual cells in your body, kill the nucleus and keep on going. That's how you get radiation poisoning; you have so many dead cells in your body that the decaying cells poison you. It's the same as people getting radiation treatments for cancer; only a bigger area gets radiated...
The good news is you don't have to just sit there and take it, and there's lots you can do rather than panic. First; your skin will stop alpha particles, a page of a news paper or your clothing will stop beta particles, you just gotta try and avoid inhaling dust that's contaminated with atoms that are emitting these things and you'll be generally safe from them.
Gamma rays are particles that travel like rays (quantum physics makes my brain hurt) and they create the same damage as alpha and beta particles only they keep going and kill lots of cells as they go all the way through your body. It takes a lot to stop these things, lots of dense material; on the other hand it takes a lot of this to kill you.
Your defense is as always to not panic. Basic hygiene and normal preparation are your friends. All canned or frozen food is safe to eat.
The radiation poisoning will not affect plants so fruits and vegetables are OK if there's no dust on em (rinse em off if there is). If you don't have running water and you need to collect rainwater or use water from wherever, just let it sit for thirty minutes and skim off the water gently from the top. The dust with the bad stuff in it will settle and the remaining water can be used for the toilet that will still work if you have a bucket of water to pour in the tank.
Finally there's biological warfare. There's not much to cover here. Basic personal hygiene and sanitation will take you further than a million doctors. Wash your hands often; don't share drinks, food, sloppy kisses, etc., ... with strangers. Keep your garbage can with a tight lid on it, don't have standing water (like old buckets, ditches, or kiddie pools) laying around to allow mosquitoes breeding room. Vectors, that is bugs, rodents, and contaminated material, carry this stuff. If biological warfare is so easy as the TV makes it sound, why has Saddam Hussein spent twenty years, millions, and millions of dollars trying to get it right?
If you're clean of person and home you eat well and are active you're gonna
live.
Overall preparation for any terrorist attack is the same as you'd take for a big storm. If you want a gas mask, fine, go get one. I know this stuff and I'm not getting one and I told my Mom not to bother with one either (how's that for confidence). We have a week's worth of cash, several days' worth of canned goods and plenty of soap and water. We don't leave stuff out to attract bugs or rodents so we don't have them. These people can't conceive a nation this big with this many resources. These weapons are made to cause panic, terror, and to demoralize. If we don't run around like sheep they won't use this stuff after they find out it's no fun.
The government is going nuts over this stuff because they have to protect every inch of America. You've only gotta protect yourself, and by doing that, you help the country.
Finally, there are millions of caveats to everything I wrote here and you can think up specific scenarios where my advice isn't the best. This letter is supposed to help the greatest number of people under the greatest number of situations. If you don't like my work, don't nit pick, just sit down and explain chemical, nuclear, and biological warfare in a document around three pages long yourself...
This is how we the people of the United States can rob these people of their most desired goal, your terror.
Unlimited reproduction and distribution is authorized. >>
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::::::::Talks on Vaccine for Smallpox
October 24, 2001 THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services, said yesterday that the government was negotiating with seven companies to manufacture smallpox vaccine that could be used in case of a terrorist attack.
Mr. Thompson did not disclose the names of the companies, but among them is Merck & Company, one of the nation's four largest vaccine makers. Proposals from the companies are due today.
"We plan to move very quickly," Mr. Thompson said at a news conference yesterday afternoon. "We want to get 300 million doses of vaccine so that every American can be assured that there is a dose with his or her name on it."
Drug industry experts and federal health officials say it is possible for drug companies to make the smallpox vaccine within a year. But they say that virtually none of the new doses will be available until February or March.
Louis Potash, the director of vaccine technologies at Novavax Inc., a small biotechnology company in Columbia, Md. said that mass production of the vaccine would take at least 14 weeks.
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::::::::Bioterror Protection: Debunking the Myths
::::::::What You Can Do ... and Don't Need to Do
::::::::WebMD Medical News
::::::::Oct. 12, 2001 -- A tiny little spore with the jarring name of anthrax is
dominating the airwaves because of the damage it has done -- and can still do.
The obvious question is: what can you do to protect yourself from anthrax and
other forms of bioterrorism? Should you stockpile antibiotics and protective gear?
Or is that too drastic?
Luciana Borio, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense,
gives her advice on what you should and should not do.
Q: ::::::::The antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) has been noted as a defense against anthrax. Some have also said it would be useless. What is your opinion on it, and is it something we should consider getting our hands on?
Borio responds: We know that ciprofloxacin, which is also known by its brand name Cipro, is an effective antibiotic in that it prevents the progression of inhaled anthrax for people who have been exposed to the type of bacteria.
Because the majority of people would die of anthrax without treatment, the government or the CDC in particular, has built a national pharmaceutical stockpile that contains large quantities of medical equipment as well as antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin. In the event of an attack, it is anticipated they would distribute the antibiotic to those who have been exposed. They have the ability to move their materials within 12 hours to any place in the U.S.
Therefore, we do not recommend private citizens stockpile their own antibiotics.
Q: ::::::::Some people are suggesting stockpiling tetracycline and doxycycline. What would they do to protect me from a biological threat?
Borio responds: Again, if given within a timely fashion, these antibiotics are useful in preventing the development of the disease for which an individual may have been exposed. However, exposed means during an attack.
Anthrax is not contagious -- that means it does not pass from one person to another. So there is no reason for people to take antibiotics out of fear of contracting the disease. It is not recommended to take these antibiotics continually -- that could be dangerous and could lead to development of resistance, and they are expensive. So the only role for them is to be administered if somebody is known to have been exposed to anthrax during a biological release.
So the decision is complex, and the determination of when a release happens is best accomplished by public-health officials, at which time people would be given the antibiotics.
Q: ::::::::These antibiotics that have been mentioned -- ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and doxycycline -- are they safe for children, pregnant women, and the elderly?
Borio responds: Under normal situations, these antibiotics are avoided in children and pregnant women. However, if that individual has been exposed to anthrax, the benefit may outweigh the risks of taking the antibiotic. These are consensus recommendations, but they have not been studied in children and pregnant women.
Q: ::::::::Is the purchase of electrolytes, latex gloves, paper surgical masks, and paper gowns a wise choice? How do they protect us?
Borio responds: They would not protect people because, again, most of these agents are not contagious from person to person, and in the case of smallpox they would likely not suffice. There is very little reason to purchase these materials.
Q: ::::::::Aren't the symptoms of anthrax like those of the flu or common cold? Should someone with flu symptoms go to the doctor and get tested as a precautionary measure?
Borio responds: The early symptoms of anthrax are very much like the flu; however, in the absence of a case, I don't think people with flu-like symptoms need to be concerned. Healthcare personnel are on alert so that if somebody presents with a rapidly progressive illness that is consistent with anthrax, they would make the diagnosis as quickly as possible.
Q: ::::::::Can people do things to build up their immune systems now so that in the event of bioterrorism they'd have a better chance?
Borio responds: Not that I am aware of. We know that people who are chronically ill are at higher risk of acquiring infections, but I am not aware of any specific therapy that would boost one's immune system.
Q: ::::::::It sounds like you can't really prepare or protect yourself.
Borio responds: I think it is wise to compare this to a terrorist attack -- there is very little we can do, and as Americans we hate that. We are the doers, you know.
It really is in the hands of our government and public health system to protect the population in the event of such a horrible event. There has been considerable anxiety, which is understandable from the events of Sept. 11, 2001, but I believe the threat itself has not increased; the perception of the threat has changed. As a citizen, I would prepare my house and family just as I would for any other natural disaster, such as have water, flashlights, and commonsense things in place.
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::::::::Inhalation anthrax
::::::::Alternative Names: anthrax - lung; pulmonary anthrax
::::::::Definition...
A disease that affects mostly farm animals; humans acquire it through inhaling spores when in direct contact with infected animals.
::::::::Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors...
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and is a disease of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and swine. Human infection is rare, but it is an occupational disease of farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. The disease has a skin form (cutaneous anthrax) and a pulmonary (lung) form.
In the pulmonary form, infection is spread by breathing in spores that germinate and cause pneumonia. The pneumonia develops rapidly and leads to progressive respiratory distress. Death can result in less than 48 hours from this type of infection. Meningitis can also develop. The incidence of inhalation anthrax is very rare.
::::::::Symptoms...
 fever general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) headache shortness of breath cough congestion of the nose and throat pneumonia joint stiffness joint pain ::::::::Signs And Tests...
blood cultures positive for anthrax chest X-ray serologic test for anthrax spinal tap for CSF culture and analysis ::::::::Treatment...
The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infection with antibiotic therapy. Penicillin is the usual medication.
::::::::Expectations (Prognosis) ...
The death rate is high despite proper therapy, especially in the pulmonary form of this disease.
::::::::Complications...
hemorrhagic meningitis mediastinitis shock ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)::::::::Calling Your Health Care Provider...
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms develop following exposure to farm animals.
::::::::Prevention...
Vaccination is available for people who work around animals.
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 1999 adam.com, Inc.
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::::::::Cutaneous anthrax
::::::::Alternative Names: anthrax - skin
::::::::Definition...
A disease that affects mostly farm animals; humans acquire it through a break in the skin when in direct contact with animals.
::::::::Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors...
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium bacillus anthracis. It is a disease of sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and swine. Human infection, though rare is an occupational disease of farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. The disease has a skin form (cutaneous anthrax) and a pulmonary form (inhalation anthrax).
Cutaneous anthrax is transmitted through a break in the skin. Infection produces a localized skin lesion with tissue death resulting in a black necrotic eschar. From the localized lesion infection may spread through the bloodstream and cause sweating, fever, chills, shock, cyanosis, and collapse. The incidence is 1 out of 100,000 people.
::::::::Symptoms...
a reddish brown sore that breaks open and forms a scab fever chills general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) headache nausea & vomiting ::::::::Signs And Tests...
blood cultures positive for anthrax cultures of skin lesions skin or mucosal biopsy ::::::::Treatment...
The objective of treatment is to cure the infection with antibiotics. Penicillin or tetracycline are used for mild cutaneous disease. Note: tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all their permanent teeth have come in, because it can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.
::::::::Expectations (Prognosis) ...
The death rate is high despite proper therapy, especially in lung (pulmonary) disease.
::::::::Complications...
hemorrhagic meningitis mediastinitis shock ::::::::Calling Your Health Care Provider...
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms occur following exposure to farm animals.
::::::::Prevention...
A vaccination is available for people who work around animals.
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 1999 adam.com, Inc.
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::::::::Ciprofloxacin
::::::::Pronunciation: sip roe FLOX a sin
::::::::What is the most important information I should know about ciprofloxacin?
Take all of the ciprofloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Drink plenty of extra fluids every day while taking ciprofloxacin.
Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 6 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of ciprofloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of ciprofloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
::::::::What is ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin fights bacteria in your body.
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections.
::::::::Who should not take ciprofloxacin?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. You may not be able to take ciprofloxacin, or you may need a lower dosage or special monitoring.
Ciprofloxacin may increase the risk of seizures if you have an existing seizure disease.
Ciprofloxacin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether ciprofloxacin will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It may affect bone development. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ciprofloxacin should not be taken by children under 12 years of age. It may interfere with bone development.
::::::::How should I take ciprofloxacin?
Take ciprofloxacin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of ciprofloxacin crystals in your urine.
Ciprofloxacin may be taken with or without food. It is preferable to take ciprofloxacin 2 hours after a meal.
Take ciprofloxacin at evenly spaced intervals.
Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 6 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of ciprofloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of ciprofloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
Take all of the ciprofloxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
::::::::What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
::::::::What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
::::::::What should I avoid while taking ciprofloxacin?
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Ciprofloxacin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result. If sun exposure is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposure to the sun.
::::::::What are the possible side effects of ciprofloxacin?
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
seizures;
confusion or hallucinations;
liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea,
abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
or muscle or joint pain.
::::::::If you experience any of the following less serious side effects,
::::::::continue taking ciprofloxacin and talk to your doctor:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
headache, lightheadedness, drowsiness;
ringing in your ears; or
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
::::::::What other drugs will affect ciprofloxacin?
Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 6 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of ciprofloxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of ciprofloxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
::::::::Before taking ciprofloxacin,
::::::::tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
didanosine (Videx, ddI);
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
warfarin (Coumadin);
probenecid (Benemid);
insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol),
glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others;
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen
(Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others;
phenytoin (Dilantin); or cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune).
You may not be able to take ciprofloxacin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ciprofloxacin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
::::::::Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has additional information about ciprofloxacin written
for health professionals that you may read.
::::::::Brand Names: Cipro
*Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others,
and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
© Multum Information Services 1999.
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The purpose and intent of this memorial website is to remember the victims and families affected by September 11, 2001
* Images are unpleasant - a visual reminder to the world why the United States of America can not tolerate acts of terrorism