Biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism : emergency preparedness and response for the primary care physician / Alan L. Melnick.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Emergency preparedness for the primary care physician -- Biological terrorism -- Chemical terrorism -- Radiological terrorism -- Mental health and terrorism -- The primary care physician's role in supporting the public health response to biological, chemical, and radiological terrorism.

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.