Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Symptoms and Treatment

Being aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can help you to save lives.

As described elsewhere in our safety section, this deadly gas starves the body of oxygen by hijacking a key component of the red blood cells that would normally carry oxygen around the body.

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms caused by carbon monoxide (CO) have tended in past cases to be confused with the symptoms of flu or food poisoning, sometimes with tragic results. Other symptoms of CO poisoning can also be confused with symptoms of other illnesses, including bad headaches, nausea, general lethargy, confusion and dizziness. Unlike with flu, however, CO poisoning doesn't cause a high temperature.

Some of the earliest symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, tiredness and stomach & chest pains. If you develop any of these whilst using a gas or solid fuel appliance, you should seek medical attention urgently.

One of the other early effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be impared mental ability, which can occur before the sufferer even realises that there is anything wrong. Doing things that accelerate the body's requirement for oxygen will only worsen the problem and could quickly result in collapse or even death.

Unlike other conditions involving oxygen starvation (eg choking) that result in cyanosis (where the body turns blue), very severe poisoning by carbon monoxide causes the body to turn cherry red. A sufferer's skin colour may be pale or pink and lips bright red in colour. (continues below)

Carbon monoxide poisoning - symptoms and treatment

Pets, smaller adults, pregnant women, babies and small children may be among the first to show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, as may sufferers of existing breathing or heart problems.

Internally, the mixture of haemoglobin from the body's red blood cells with CO produces carboxyhaemoglobin. This causes blood vessels to leak, which can in turn causes brain swelling, leading to loss of consciousness and nerve damage.

Priorities in the event of suspected CO poisoning include getting away from and/or ventilating any potentially affected area, switching off all cooking and heating appliances, seeking medical attention and getting expert advice - for example by calling the Health & Safety Executive Gas Safety advice line on 0800 300 363 (a freephone number).

Sadly, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not only limited to the period of exposure. Other symptoms such as confusion, memory loss and issues with co-ordination can occur days or even months later. People who suffer from serious poisoning may experience long-term health issues, including heart problems.

It is clear that prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning, wherever possible, is far preferable to cure.

This is just one of the reasons why the Government strongly recommends having your gas boiler and any other gas appliances safety checked and serviced annually by a suitably qualified gas engineer. For landlords, annual gas safety checks are compulsory by law.

More gas boiler and central heating safety information:

» Gas safety introduction

» Why annual gas safety checks matter

» Carbon monoxide - the silent killer

» About carbon monoxide detectors and alarms

» Visual checks you can make at home