CO Poisoning - More on Symptoms
Making the Diagnosis:
Making a diagnosis of CO poisoning is crucial, since the condition can be fatal in just a few minutes. The symptoms are widely varied, many are non-specific, and can involve many body systems.
Victims often believe, or are led to believe, that they are have the "flu", gastroenteritis, etc. CO poisoning is very often misdiagnosed clinically as:
--- Psychiatric illness
--- Migrane
--- Stroke
--- Drunkeness
--- Heart disease
--- Food poisoning
--- Others
As a noted emergency room physician has said, "the standard of care for carbon monoxide poisoning may well be misdiagnosis"
There are clues that signal the likelihood of CO poisoning:
--- If everyone in the family suddenly becomes ill with some of the above symptoms.
--- If the victim is in a situation where he or she may be exposed to high CO levels.
--- If symptoms are relieved when the victim moves to a different location / into fresh air.
--- Others
....... Last changed 03/22/02
Symptoms of Chronic CO Poisoning
Symptoms as they Relate to COHb level
Clinical Case Studies Involving CO poisoning
Organs Affected
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