The outbreak of anthrax infections that followed September 11, 2001, showed all too clearly that while we can defend ourselves against bioterrorism, our defenses need improvement. What's most important is the ability to recognize the associated disease, and recognize them quickly. Yet, many in the medical world are unfamiliar with the characteristic signs and symptoms of bioterrorism agents and are unable to differentiate between diseases whose symptoms appear almost identical. While a plethora of information on such diseases is available, finding it is time consuming.

Bioterrorism: Field Guide to Disease Identification and Initial Patient Management is an accessible resource that helps first-responders to quickly recognize the signs and symptoms caused by exposure to bioterrorism agents. It provides enough information to initiate treatment while a definitive diagnosis is being determined and presents measures for preventing contamination of those involved in the victims' medical management.

A special quick-reference foldout chart features a matrix linking 180 symptoms to 17 diseases and 90 differential diagnosis. In bulleted format, the book includes for each pathogenic agent:

A brief description

Signs and symptoms

Diagnostic features

Lab tests and expected results

Treatment (specific drug regimens)

Prophylaxis (specific drug regimens)

Precautionary measures

This book is a potentially life-saving resource that can be thrown into a medical bag and kept there, hopefully forever unused. But if needed, it is a resource that can quickly provide information that will prevent secondary infections, improve site safety, and buy life-saving time for victims.