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Chemical and Bio Weapons

4 Pages 982 Words


What are chemical and biological weapons? Chemical and biological weapons are any infectious agent used intentionally to inflict harm upon individuals. These are truly instruments of war and terror. Infection is painful and potentially fatal and can cause massive casualties.
Any infectious agent used to cause severe harm or death to a specific population or region is called a biological weapon. Biological agents include both living and microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa, rickettsia, viruses, fungi and toxins produced by plants or animals. There are many different types of agents. For example, anthrax, ricin, smallpox, salmonella, tuberculosis, hepatitis, yellow fever and diphtheria are some of the more common. In some cases, side effects are highly lethal and others cause an unfunctional state of mind and body.
Viruses grow in the cytoplasm of an infected cell, which eventually spreads throughout the body. It’s transmitted from infected grazing animals’ meat, milk and hairs. Symptoms can or may include flu-like bodily feelings, fever, fatigue, cough and chest pressure.
Rickettsiae develop intracellular by parasites living on humans. It’s usually transmitted by insect bites. Symptoms include severe frontal headache, sweating and nausea.
Fungi grow and multiply by breaking down dead organic material. Fungi are similar, both chemically and genetically, to animals. This link to animals makes fungi harder to treat. Symptoms include redness and tenderness of the skin and dryness.
Bacteria possess cell walls and membranes, which are composed of DNA. They spread throughout the body by a process called fission. Symptoms can include body aches, nausea, blurred vision, abdominal pain and dizziness.
Protozoa are parasites. Infection spreads usually through infected drinking water. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and migraines.
As stated earlier, people who use biological...

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