Electrical injury
Alternative names:
shock - electrical
Definition:
Injury to the
skin or internal organs that results from exposure to an electrical
current.
Considerations:
The human body
is a good conductor of electricity. Direct contact with electrical
current can be potentially fatal. While some electrical burns
look minor, there still may be serious internal damage, especially
to the heart and brain.
About 1,000 people die annually of electric shock in the United
States.
The outcome of an electric shock to an individual depends
on the site and extent of damage, the victim's state of health,
and the speed and adequacy of the treatment.
Electric current can cause injury in three ways: cardiac
arrest due to electrical effect on the heart, massive
muscle destruction from
current passing through the body, and thermal burns from contact
with the electrical source.
Common causes:
- Young children
biting or chewing on electrical cords or poking sharp objects
into the electrical outlet.
- Accidental
contact with exposed parts of electrical appliances or wiring.
- Lightning.
- Flash of electric
arcs from high-voltage power lines.
- Machines.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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