Oxygen therapy chemical agent exposure

Treatment primarily consists of supportive care. Ventilate patient if they have difficulty breathing and administer oxygen. Be prepared to treat for shock. Monitor and support cardiac and respiratory functions as necessary. If the identity of the toxin is known, administer antidote if available. Unlike chemical agents, toxins can cause an immune response. Vaccines are available for some toxins but generally require more than 4 weeks for the body to produce antibodies. Passive immunotherapy is effective for some neurotoxins but must be instituted shortly after exposure. The utility of antibody therapy drops sharply at or shortly after the onset of the first signs of disease. 

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