| Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Terrorism: Emergency Preparedness and Response for the Primary Care Physician 2008 Edition Contributor(s): Melnick, Alan (Author) |
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ISBN: 0387472312 ISBN-13: 9780387472317 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $52.24 Product Type: Paperback Published: December 2007 Annotation: This book helps primary care physicians understand their roles in preparing for and responding to terrorist events. With a practical approach, the text considers the physical and psychological impact of terrorism on providers and patients who are directly affected, as well as the spillover effects in more distant geographic locals. Proactive measures are outlined, such as educating patients about protective recommendations, addressing concerns about risk, and reporting credible risks to the proper authorities. The text also details how to detect terrorist-caused illness as early as possible, how to provide therapy to defend against or prevent illness, and how to treat patients with terrorist-caused illness. In-depth coverage of biologic agents (anthrax, plague, smallpox, botulism, tularemia, and hemorrhagic viruses), chemical agents (nerve and blister), and radiologic agents that terrorists are likely to use is provided. Readers also learn how to counsel families traumatized by terrorist threats and activities. In addition, the text takes a hard look at the structure, function, and current planning efforts of the public health system at the local, state, and federal levels. An emphasis is placed on how physicians can work with public health officials to ensure that preventive and therapeutic measures are delivered effectively, legally, and ethically. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Medical | Family & General Practice - Medical | Emergency Medicine - Medical | Public Health |
| Dewey: 616.025 |
| LCCN: 2007940366 |
| Physical Information: 0.6" H x 6.39" W x 9.27" (0.90 lbs) 276 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The intentional use of biological or chemical agents to cause disease or destroy food and water supplies for political or economic reasons dates to antiquity. The turn of the twentieth century heralded the development of lethal biological and chemical weapons capable of mass destruction. By the final two decades of the twentieth century, individuals and small groups learned how to obtain and use these weapons effectively. The events of the past few decades, including the World Trade Center and anthrax attacks in 2001, have shown that small groups of individuals, as well as nations, have the resources to coordinate attacks using chemical, biological and radiological agents. Given the long history of biological and chemical warfare, and given that that many of these agents are relatively easy to obtain and use, future attacks are possible. If they occur, primary care clinicians will have key roles to play in protecting their patients and the public. The illnesses that biological, chemical and radiological weapons cause can be difficult to distinguish from naturally occurring illness. Clearly, clinicians will need a basic understanding of diseases caused by these agents, including their associated epidemiology, and an understanding on how to work with public health officials to protect their patients and the public. |