Adolescent epidemic hysteria presenting as a mass casualty, toxic exposure incident.
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.
Selden
B S
BS
Emergency Department, Humana Hospital-Alaska, Anchorage.
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008399:Mass Behavior; D009325:Nausea / Q000175:diagnosis; D012574:Schools
D000393:Air Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances