What is one of the severe symptoms of nerve agent poisoning?

One of the severe symptoms of nerve agent poisoning is strange or confused behavior. Nerve agents disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which leads to an accumulation of acetylcholine in the body. This accumulation results in overstimulation of the nervous system, affecting cognitive functions and causing confusion or disorientation.

When the nervous system is overwhelmed, the victim may exhibit unusual or erratic behavior, struggle with clarity of thought, or display significant changes in mental state. This mental confusion reflects the intensity of the toxicity and the systemic impact of the nerve agent, indicating a severe reaction to the poison.

In contrast, localized sweating is typically associated with milder responses or other medical conditions rather than being a primary symptom of nerve agent exposure. Sudden drooling is a common symptom of nerve agent poisoning, but it reflects a different aspect of the body's response and is not as clear an indication of severe cognitive effects. Stomach cramps may occur due to a variety of reasons but are not a hallmark sign of nerve agent toxicity.