Adolescent epidemic hysteria presenting as a mass casualty, toxic exposure incident

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Annals of Emergency Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(89)80221-5· OSTI ID:5542573

Selden, B S ^[1]

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1. Humana Hospital-Alaska, Anchorage

Discussed is a case of explosive epidemic hysteria presenting as a mass casualty, toxic inhalation incident. Fifteen adolescent female students were triaged from a school of 700 persons exposed to sewer gas and arrived simultaneously at the emergency department complaining of a variety of nonspecific symptoms without physical findings. These symptoms quickly remitted with reassurance and dispersion of the group. Factors important in the recognition and treatment of epidemic hysteria are presented.

• OSTI ID: 5542573
• Journal Information: Annals of Emergency Medicine; (USA), Vol. 18:8; ISSN 0196-0644
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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TOXICITY
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