[Biological warfare: disease prevention and post exposure medical treatment]

The use of biological warfare agents has become a reality in recent years, emphasizing the need for local and national preparedness programs. In the event of a biological attack, the use of medical measures for prophylaxis and treatment can greatly reduce its impact. Antibiotics, active and passive immunizations, and antiviral agents can all be used for this purpose. Since diseases resulting from biological warfare agents have an incubation period of days, there is a short time period in which proper post exposure prophylaxis may be given. This paper provides a therapeutic approach to patients exposed to biological warfare agents, in comparison to the management of naturally occurring diseases.