What should you do if you Suspect you have been Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide?

If you suspect that you have been exposed to Carbon Monoxide or Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. Do not waste any time getting yourself or your family to the hospital. If you believe that the area you currently are in is the source of the exposure, get out of there immediately. If you are feeling dazed or confused call 911 and get out of the home.   

Fire Departments typically have monitoring equipment that they can use to determine if a location has elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide. They will typically take such readings when there is a suspicion that Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is possible. Do not go back in and take any readings yourself.  

The most important thing you can do once you believe that you have been poisoned by Carbon Monoxide is to get medical help! Go to the emergency room. Make sure that you let them know that you think you may have been exposed to Carbon Monoxide. Make sure that they do a CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN test of you blood. This is the most definitive way to know whether or not you have been exposed to Carbon Monoxide. Remember though, that if you have been given oxygen treatment or have been outside of the area where you are being exposed to Carbon Monoxide for twenty-four (24) hours or more this test will not accurately reflect the exposure you may have received.  

Once you have received medical treatment, you should make sure that the source of your exposure has been identified so that you do end up exposing yourself again. If the Fire Department was called, chances are they already determined the source. If not, you should have the appliances in your home that may be sources of Carbon Monoxide inspected. You should immediately install Carbon Monoxide Monitors in your home to ensure that you safe there. You should have the exhaust system of your car or boat checked out to ensure that there are no leaks that may have caused your exposure. If you suspect that your exposure was at work, you need to contact your employer and let them know what happened to you. The bottom line is that it is very important that you determine the source of your Carbon Monoxide Poisoning to protect you, your family, your coworkers and friends.  

Additionally, you will probably want to start keeping a journal of how you are feeling after your exposure. You need to be detailed and specific. If you are feeling tired, having headaches, feeling angry, feeling depressed etc. you need to write it down. In situations where the exposure was minor the symptoms should go away in a few days to weeks. In situations where the exposure was either significant or chronic there is a possibility that your symptoms may not go away. In those situations it will be vitally important that you know what is going on in your life so that your healthcare providers can help you deal with any long term symptoms such as headaches, depression, fatigue, etc. It will most likely be necessary to have your spouse keep a journal as well, as it is likely that they will observe changes in you that you are not aware of. In many Carbon Monoxide Poisoning cases, it is the spouse that sees the changes before the victim.