Carbon monoxide

Home treatment:

Get the individual out into fresh air and ventilate area.
Call an ambulance immediately. Artificial respiration may need to be administered by a qualified individual if the individual has stopped breathing.

Before calling emergency:

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• how long they may have been exposed to the carbon monoxide if known.

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• oxygen will be administered
• vital signs will be monitored
• various medications may be administered if needed
• possible hyperbaric oxygen therapy at an HBO facility

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis (probable outcome)
If the individuals recovers it will be slowly. Depending on the blood levels of carbon monoxide, permanent brain damage may occur. If the individual still has symptoms of impaired mental ability after two weeks, the likelihood of complete recovery is not very good. Even if an individual is symptom free for a while, impaired mental ability can reappear within the first 1-2 weeks.