Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Find out how symptoms, prevention, and diagnosis of carbon monoxide poining

What's carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a product of natural or petroleum gas that has undergone incomplete combustion. In other words, it results from unlit gas. Sources in the home commonly found to leak carbon monoxide include faulty central heating systems, gas appliances and fires. Carbon monoxide is a higher risk in homes with closed windows and blocked flues and chimneys—this means the gas can't escape and is inhaled by the individual. Car exhaust fumes are also a common source of carbon monoxide. A lethal level of carbon monoxide in the blood can develop within ten minutes inside a closed garage.
Warning signs
It's important to consider that carbon monoxide poisoning may be a possibility if: other people in the home or place of work suffer similar symptoms. Symptoms tends to disappear when someone goes away (for example, on holiday) and they're no longer exposed to the carbon monoxide gas, and symptoms tend to be seasonal (for example, headaches during the winter when indoor heating is used more often)
Symptoms
Inhaling carbon monoxide reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leaving the body's organs and cells starved of oxygen. The symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning may be very general mimic that of viral cold infections: headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, a general bad feeling, and dry cough. In children, the symptoms are similar to those of a stomach upset, with nausea and vomiting.
More severe poisoning can result in a fast and irregular heart rate, over-breathing (hyperventilation), confusion, drowsiness and difficulty breathing. Seizures and loss of consciousness may also occur. Symptoms can occur a few days or even months after exposure to carbon monoxide. Such symptoms include confusion, loss of memory and problems with coordination.
Diagnosis and treatment
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confirmed by finding high levels in the blood. You can treat the patient by making sure the patient is away from any source of the gas, providing basic life support as appropriate and giving oxygen before transferring the patient to hospital. Those people who suffer mild poisoning almost always make a full recovery. However, between 10 and 50 per cent of those with severe poisoning may suffer long-term problems.
Prevention
Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, so it's important to be aware of what may cause it and how to minimize the risk of exposure by putting these safety tips into practice: have chimneys and flues checked regularly, make sure gas appliances and heating systems are inspected every year, and for extra protection, fit carbon monoxide alarms - available from DIY stores. Also, never run cars, motorbikes or lawnmowers in a closed garage