This page is not intended to diagnose any medical condition and any visitor who is exhibiting any of the symptoms below, should contact their doctor or visit their local hospital for a professional assessment. This page is designed to assist victims of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning by understanding its symptoms, answering some questions and always seeking qualified medical advice.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas by-product of poorly burnt fuels that can arise from wood stoves, car engines, boat engines, or other fire sources. CO poisoning occurs from breathing in the gas. Acute CO poisoning occurs from breathing a large amount. Chronic CO poisoning can occur gradually over years, typically from ongoing exposure to lower levels in the home or occupation.
CO poisoning is difficult to diagnose, and is often misdiagnosed as other condition. Acute CO poisoning usually leads to obvious symptoms quickly (e.g. nausea, vomiting), but is not always correctly diagnosed. Chronic CO poisoning is particularly difficult to diagnose, as it can have vague and non-specific symptoms for years.
The vast majority of the thousands of victims who attend their doctor or hospital because of feeling nausea, having headaches or regularly vomiting are not tested for CO poisoning. This is because the symptoms (detailed below) are so similar to other more common health problems.
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flushing
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Convulsions
- Respiratory problems
- Wheezing
- Rapid breathing
- Persistent cough
- Chronic heart disease
- Angina
- Concentration problems
- Sleep disturbance
- Clumsiness
- Severe muscle pains
- Trembling
- Vision problems
- Loss of hearing
EXTREME EXPOSURE:
Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio respiratory failure, and death
MEDIUM EXPOSURE:
Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, and fast heart rate
MILD EXPOSURE:
Slight headache, nausea, fatigue (often described as 'flu-like' symptoms)
If you suspect you are being poisoned by carbon monoxide and exhibit any or a combination of the above symptoms you must ask your doctor or nurse to test your CO levels, otherwise is it highly unlikely they will do so. They must also test you immediately, as the levels of CO in your body will gradually reduce the longer you are in fresher air.
Your doctor or nurse can perform a simple blood test (called a carboxyhemoglobin test) to determine the level of carbon monoxide in your bloodstream. If elevated levels of carbon monoxide are present, hyperbaric (high-pressure) oxygen treatment may be used to rid the body of carbon monoxide. Your doctor or nurse will make this determination and administer treatment if necessary.
If you suspect the poisoning has taken place in the home, call a qualified (in the UK Gas Safe Register Accredited) technician to inspect fuel-burning appliances immediately and thereafter at least once a year. Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance.
Over time, components can become damaged or deteriorate. A qualified technician (in the UK Gas Safe Register Accredited) can identify and repair problems with your fuel-burning appliances. Equally, whilst CO detectors can detect a carbon monoxide condition in your home, the sensor in the alarm should be tested every 3-6 months to ensure it is continuing to function.
Be alert to the danger signs that signal carbon monoxide problems:
- Streaks of carbon or soot around the service door of your fuel burning appliances
- Absence of a draft in your chimney
- Excessive rusting on flue pipes or appliance jackets
- Moisture collecting on the windows and walls of furnace rooms
- Fallen soot from the fireplace
- Small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney, vent or flue pipe;
- Damaged or discoloured bricks at the top of your chimney
- Rust on the portion of the vent pipe visible from outside your home.
If you suspect poisoning, download our CO Check List, take it with you to your doctor and ask to be tested for carbon monoxide.
If you require further information regarding CO detectors or the Detectagas test kit, please contact a member of our Customer Care team on +44 (0) 151 647 3761 or alternatively email enquiries@detectagas.com. Detectagas also recommends CO Awareness for additional support regarding suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
