Final answer:
Choking agents are chemical warfare agents that cause severe respiratory distress, often resulting in pulmonary edema. Symptoms include coughing and tightness in the chest, and treatment is supportive, focusing on removing the victim from exposure and providing oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Choking Agents: Definition, Symptoms, and Treatment
Choking agents are a class of chemical warfare agents that primarily affect the respiratory system. When a person is exposed to a choking agent, it leads to a condition similar to very severe chemical bronchitis or sometimes pulmonary edema, which floods the lungs and can result in suffocation. Survivors of this type of exposure often suffer from chronic breathing problems.
Symptoms of Choking Agent Poisoning
The symptoms of poisoning by choking agents include coughing, choking, and tightness in the chest. Prolonged exposure can lead to more severe symptoms such as pulmonary edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, that can be fatal.
Treatment for Choking Agent Exposure
There is no specific antidote for choking agent poisoning, so treatment is mainly supportive. It involves removing the victim from the area of exposure, providing oxygen, and in some cases using medications to support breathing and reduce inflammation in the lungs.