Abstract

Emilin Scaria*, Anchu C. L.*, Dr. Dhanya Dharman, Prof. Dr. Shaiju S. Dharan

ABSTRACT

Organophosphorus poisoning is poisoning due to opiates. Organophosphorus are used as insecticides, medications and nerve agents. Symptoms include increase saliva and tear, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, small pupils, sweating, muscle tremor, confusion. While onset of symptoms is often within minutes and it can take up to weeks to disappear. Exposure can be from drinking, breathing in the vapour or skin exposure. The underlying mechanism involves the inhibition of acetylcholine leading to the building of acetylcholine to the body. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and can be by measuring plasma cholinesterase activity in the blood in those who have organophosphate poisoning the primary treatment are atropine, oximes such as pralidoxime, obidoxime. General measurement such as oxygen and intravenous fluids are also recommended. Organophosphorus poisoning are one of the most common cause of poisoning worldwide. There are nearly three million poisoning per year and two hundred thousand death.