How dangerous is herbicide poisoning Paraquat?

Center of Poisoning, Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) is receiving treatment for many suicide cases with Paraquat herbicide.

On the afternoon of February 14, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, the Center for Anti-Poisoning, Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi), said he was considering signing a hospital discharge certificate for a female patient (in Dong Anh, Hanoi) by love. Paraquat poisoning severe changes, no longer a chance to survive.

On February 12, the patient was hospitalized in a state of alertness, mouth ulcers, burning pain and diagnosis of Paraquat herbicide poisoning.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen.(Photo: HQ).

Dr. Nguyen said that every day the center receives at least one Paraquat poisoning. Most patients are young, committed suicide with very small reasons such as being scolded by their parents, angry with their husbands, wives, and lovers.

In addition to the above critical cases, the Center of poison control also has two patients who poisoned Paraquat. A patient born in 1993, male, residing in Quang Ninh, hospitalized on February 13. The other patient was born in 1985 (male, in Bac Giang) hospitalized on February 12 due to taking herbicides after conflicts with his wife.

"These two patients each take a sip of Paraquat. They are still awake, so they have not anticipated anything. However, each person only needs to drink about 5ml of Paraquat drug that is capable of poisoning, prognosis. death, " said Dr. Nguyen.

Most patients are poisoned Paraquat through the gastrointestinal tract, toxins absorbed into the body, causing lung damage, pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis. Severe cases can die in 2-3 days. Most patients die within seven days, no later than three months.

Scientists in the world as well as Vietnam have applied all detoxification methods such as dialysis, using antidote but the effectiveness is very limited. Whether hospitalization is fast or slow, the risk of death of patients is also very high. Many patients after gastric lavage, nausea and sore throat symptoms are reduced, so that poisoning is over. However, after 5-7 days, even up to three months, they will die of respiratory failure.