Clinical Grades of Paraquat Poisoning

Paraquat poisoning may range from asymptomatic to fulminant. This is typically dose dependent.

Phase	Symptoms After Oral Ingestion	Symptoms with Local Exposure
asymptomatic or mild	nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hemoptysis, GI hemorrhage, oliguria	GI, dermal, and ocular irritation
moderate to severe	vomiting, diarrhea, hepatic failure, renal failure; hypotension; pulmonary fibrosis	severe irritation; ulceration of skin and mucous membranes
acute fulminant toxicity (severe)	vomiting and diarrhea followed by multi-organ failure	marked ulceration; GI perforation

Phase	Volume 20% (w/v) Concentrate for 70 kg person	Prognosis
asymptomatic or mild	< 7.5 mL	full recovery
moderate to severe	7.5 to 15 mL	death in majority; may be delayed 2-4 weeks
acute fulminant toxicity (severe)	> 15 mL	death within 1-4 days

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