Symptoms and treatment of Carbon Monoxide poisoning

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas. It generally originates from gas and oil-fired stoves, portable generators and charcoal grills, which produce this poisonous gas. If you are in a ventilated, spacious environment, small amounts of CO are generally not harmful. However, when this gas is present in large quantities and you are in a confined space, CO can displace oxygen from red blood cells, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause serious bodily injury and even death.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning

The most common symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Carbon Monoxide symptoms are often described as ‘flu-like’. It is particularly dangerous for babies, pregnant women and people with conditions such as emphysema (which damages the air sacs in the lungs), asthma or heart disease.

Treatment of Carbon Monoxide poisoning

As soon as you become aware of high Carbon Monoxide levels or Carbon Monoxide poisoning in your surroundings, you need to cut off the source of Carbon Monoxide production and move to an open environment immediately. If you are in an area that is difficult to escape from, such as a fire, you need to bend over the wall and cover your mouth and nose to escape towards a safe exit, and do not shout to avoid inhaling more Carbon Monoxide gas.

If the patient is unconscious, immediately seek medical attention after checking for injuries before moving.