Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure are often described as "flu-like" but without the fever.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Besides tightness across the chest, initial symptoms of CO poisoning may include headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea.
Common signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headache, Dizziness, Weakness, Upset Stomach, Nausea and Vomiting, Chest Pain, Confusion, Disorientation, and Loss of Consciousness.
The time it takes to realize carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is occurring varies significantly based on the concentration of the gas in the environment and an individual's health. Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it is often called a "silent killer," and people may not realize they are being exposed until symptoms become serious.
You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous.
Clearer symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include:
Early symptoms of CO poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness.
Risk factors for carbon monoxide poisoning include the use of fuel-burning appliances in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, occupational exposures, and increased incidence during colder months due to indoor heating.
General signs of poisoning include severe vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, sudden confusion or extreme drowsiness, stomach cramps or pain, and burns or redness around the mouth. The exact symptoms depend on the type of poison, the amount, and the method of exposure.
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can become deadly in a matter of minutes. If you suspect CO poisoning, leave your home or building immediately and call 911 or your local emergency services number.
Identify carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by watching for flu-like symptoms—headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion—that occur without a fever and improve when away from home. Because CO is odorless and colorless, rely on CO detectors, check for proper appliance ventilation, and seek emergency care if multiple people in a home feel sick.
At high levels, CO can cause death within minutes. If you suspect you may be experiencing CO poisoning, or your CO detector alarm goes off, go outside immediately for fresh air and THEN call 911. To protect yourself and your family from CO, follow these safety tips: Make sure you have working CO detectors.
The early stages of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are most often confused with the flu (influenza) or other viral infections. Both conditions cause vague, non-specific symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.
Symptoms are often described as "flu-like" and commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Large exposures can result in loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, seizures, or death.
Carbon monoxide (CO) starts when carbon-based fuels burn without enough oxygen, creating a toxic, invisible, and odorless gas. This incomplete combustion most commonly occurs in poorly ventilated spaces or when fuel-burning household appliances and engines malfunction.
It is also a good idea to know the signs of a potential CO problem:
The greatest sources of CO to outdoor air are cars, trucks and other vehicles or machinery that burn fossil fuels. A variety of items in your home such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, and gas stoves also release CO and can affect air quality indoors.
The most common causes of carbon monoxide building up are incorrectly installed or poorly maintained or ventilated appliances – like stoves and hot water heaters.
One of the most common early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a headache, often described as dull or persistent. Because CO is odorless and colorless, these early signs are frequently mistaken for the flu or food poisoning.
The term "silent killer gas" almost universally refers to Carbon Monoxide (CO). It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels (like wood, coal, propane, and gasoline). It is deadly because it replaces oxygen in your bloodstream, preventing vital organs from functioning.
Call 911 or emergency medical help if you or someone with you has symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, weakness and confusion. At the hospital, treatment may involve: Breathing pure oxygen.
Symptoms. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Low levels of CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long-term health risk if left uncorrected.
Because carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas, it is impossible to detect without specialized equipment. The most reliable way to tell if it is present is by installing and maintaining certified Carbon Monoxide Alarms on every level of your home.