{"id":10579,"date":"2023-09-04T14:14:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-04T14:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testv45.demowebsitelinks.com\/VirtualDoctorsUSA\/?p=10579"},"modified":"2023-09-04T14:14:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T14:14:12","slug":"organophosphate-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testv45.demowebsitelinks.com\/VirtualDoctorsUSA\/organophosphate-poisoning\/","title":{"rendered":"ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/p>\n

Case fatality for self-poisoning in the developing world is around 10-20% according to some estimates; but for certain pesticides it may be several times higher.\u00a0 Such pesticides often contain organophosphates, which are highly toxic compounds.\u00a0They cause problems by leading to an imbalance of chemical transmitters at nerve endings.\u00a0 This in turn can result in severe or even fatal symptoms for the patient.\u00a0 Organophosphate poisoning is now rarely seen in the UK; the use of these compounds is restricted to agricultural rather than residential pesticides.\u00a0But in parts of the developing world, where much of the population lives in rural agricultural areas, it is seen more frequently.\u00a0Many of the patients at the Clinics we serve in Zambia live and work in farming communities.\u00a0The Virtual Doctors team has consulted on a number of cases of deliberate self-poisoning with organophosphate containing pesticides; with a further three incidents in the last quarter alone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Credit: Adwo-Shutterstock.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The onset of symptoms following ingestion of an organophosphate will vary between people (and between pesticides), but it is usually within minutes to hours.\u00a0Mild exposure may lead to a syndrome rather like flu (runny nose, fatigue, dizziness etc).\u00a0More significant exposure may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and cramping abdominal pain.\u00a0The patient may complain of burning of the mouth or throat and may describe chest tightness.\u00a0Subsequently there may be fasciculation (muscle twitching) then weakness, fits and confusion followed by organ failure and even death.<\/p>\n

Even if the patient survives the acute effects of the poisoning, there may be further complications afterwards:<\/p>\n