RT Book, Section A1 Suchard, Jeffrey R. A2 Nelson, Lewis S. A2 Howland, Mary Ann A2 Lewin, Neal A. A2 Smith, Silas W. A2 Goldfrank, Lewis R. A2 Hoffman, Robert S. SR Print(0) ID 1163004863 T1 Biological Weapons T2 Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259859618 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1163004863 RD 2024/03/28 AB Expertise in dealing with biological weapons (BWs) requires specific knowledge from the fields of infectious disease, epidemiology, toxicology, and public health. Biological and chemical weapons share many characteristics in common, including intent of use, some dispersion methods, and initial defense based on adequate personal protective equipment and decontamination (Tables 126–2 and 126–3). However, key differences between biological and chemical weapons involve a greater delay in onset of clinical symptoms after exposure to BWs; that is, the incubation period for most BWs is greater than the latent period for most chemical weapons. Decontamination is less crucial for victims exposed to BWs. Additionally, a few BWs can reproduce in the human host and cause secondary casualties, and disease after exposure to certain BWs can be prevented by the timely administration of prophylactic medications.