What to Do If You Have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Get to fresh air immediately.
- Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Poison experts are available 24/7 to provide guidance on evaluation and management.
- Monitor symptoms carefully. Chronic low-level exposure can present as confusion or memory difficulties, which may require medical evaluation.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can be difficult to recognize at first, but symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion or memory difficulties (with chronic low-level exposure)
Because these symptoms can be misdiagnosed, it’s important to be aware of possible CO exposure. These symptoms can be confused with a common flu, but carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
CO poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space. Common sources include:
- Fuel-burning appliances such a gas furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces
- Gas-powered generators used indoors
- Engines, running a car inside is a hazard
- Kerosene or propane space heaters
▼ Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with an image of a woman clutching her mouth and the video title “What happens if you get carbon monoxide poisoning?” The Missouri Poison Center logo is at the bottom right.
Sound: Upbeat, light-hearted instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, a man in a white long-sleeved shirt, is in a room with blue LED strip lights. He is speaking into a microphone. A comment from “deerslayer191” asks, “what do i do if i get carbon monoxide poisoning. does it go away after a few days or is this a hospital visit???”
Person 1: What do I do if I get carbon monoxide poisoning? Does it go away after a few days or is this a hospital visit? That’s an excellent question, Deer Slayer 191! Love your name! CO poisoning is like breaking wind at Thanksgiving dinner. Most people probably won’t notice it first. But then you start feeling a little dizzy, nauseous, confused, but you always get to fresh air. Each case of CO poisoning varies, and the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be easily misdiagnosed.
Visual: Text appears on screen: “Symptoms include: Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Weakness”.
Person 1: The symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness,
Visual: The word “MALAISE” appears in large red text. Below it, a definition reads: “Malaise: (noun) a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.”
Person 1: malaise,
Visual: Text appears on screen: “Symptoms include: Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Weakness, Fatigue, Shortness of breath”.
Person 1: fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you’re experiencing chronic, low-level exposure over an extended period of time, that exposure may just present as
Visual: The word “CONFUSION” appears in large red text.
Person 1: confusion
Visual: The words “MEMORY DIFFICULTIES” appear in large red text.
Person 1: or memory difficulties. If you believe you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide, we suggest calling your poison center.
Visual: The Missouri Poison Center logo appears on screen. The phone number 1-800-222-1222 is displayed. “Open 24/7!” appears above the logo.
Person 1: At 1-800-222-1222.
Visual: Text changes to “There’s always an Expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.” The logo and phone number remain.
Person 1: There’s always an expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in room.
Person 1: Thank you again for the question, Deer Slayer, and to the rest of you,
Visual: Text appears on screen: “If you’ve got a question about poison leave us a comment below!”
Person 1: if you have a question about poison, leave us a comment below!
