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Deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning have escalated over the past few years due to its insidious symptoms. Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning are very often unaware of the presence of this invisible gas.
Staying warm in the winter is the desire of all, however, most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning can be attributed to furnaces, fireplaces and wood stoves. Carbon monoxide gas forms by the incomplete burning of organic materials such as natural gas, wood, paper and coal we use to heat our homes. Charcoal and gasoline when burned incompletely can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
This poisonous gas not visible to the naked eye is odorless and tasteless. It does not irritate the eyes, nose or mouth in any way.
Therefore, it is difficult to determine if a person is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. This life threatening illness disguises itself with flu like symptoms as well. These symptoms can include headache, ringing in the ears, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, dizziness and/or visual changes. More serious symptoms include unconsciousness, respiratory and cardiac arrest.
Although many symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu there are some differences. Carbon monoxide poisoning does not produce a low-grade fever or general body aches consistent with normal flu symptoms. Nor does it have any effect on the lymph nodes as the flu.
Unlike the flu, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may come and go. These flu-like symptoms may seem to worsen or improve at certain times of the day or in certain places. If the gas is being produced in their home the victim may notice they are feeling better at work or outdoors. Other people around the victim may be experiencing similar symptoms and if the gas is being produced in their home, their pets may be ill also.
Should you discover a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning immediately remove them from their toxic environment to a place providing fresh, clean air. Then call 911 for emergency assistance. Emergency medical personnel will be able to provide the victim with pure oxygen. This treatment will improve oxygenation and disassociate the linkage between the carbon monoxide and the hemoglobin of the victim.
If will also help to monitor the victim until emergency assistance arrives. Make sure their airway is open. If the victim is talking or responsive their airway is open. If the victim is not you may need to administer CPR.
Then access the persons breathing. If the person is unresponsive use your senses to be sure they are breathing. Look to see if the chest is rising and falling. Feel to find out if air is coming out of the victims nose and mouth. If the unresponsive person is not breathing administer CPR.
Also check an unresponsive victims pulse by feeling the side of the neck. If a pulse is absent administer CPR.
Always place an unresponsive victim on one side.
In all cases, even if the person is responsive, you should immediately seek medical attention. A person suspected to have carbon monoxide poisoning should obtain a blood test to determine the level of carbon monoxide in their bloodstream.
To avoid contracting carbon monoxide poisoning it is best to purchase a carbon monoxide tester. This device similar to a smoke detector can be easily installed near furnaces, wood stoves, and fireplaces and over potential areas where carbon monoxide may likely evolve.
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