What are the signs of ricin intoxication?
When inhaled as a small particle aerosol, ricin would likely produce symptoms within 8 hours. Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, nausea, and chest tightness are followed by profuse sweating, skin turning blue, low blood pressure, and finally respiratory failure and circulatory collapse. Time to death would likely be 36-72 hours, depending on the dose received. How is ricin intoxication diagnosed? The diagnosis of ricin is largely based on symptoms and should be suspected in a setting of mass casualties with a similar and appropriate clinical picture. Failure to respond to antibiotics helps to differentiate ricin exposure from lung infections produced by bacterial agents. A blood antibody test exists but is not readily available. Can ricin intoxication be treated? No specific treatment exists, and care is thus supportive treatment of symptoms. Is a vaccine available? No specific vaccine or antitoxin exists.
