Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Overview, Symptoms And Diagnosis

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HealthlineSubscribeCarbon Monoxide Poisoning

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by April Kahn — Updated on September 29, 2018

Symptoms
Risk factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prevention

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that’s both odorless and colorless. It’s found in combustion (exhaust) fumes produced by:

heaters
fireplaces
car mufflers
space heaters
charcoal grills
car engines
portable generators

Everyone is exposed to small amounts of carbon monoxide throughout the day. However, inhaling too much of it can cause CO poisoning.

CO can increase to dangerous levels when combustion fumes become trapped in a poorly ventilated or enclosed space (such as a garage). Inhaling these fumes causes CO to build up in your bloodstream, which can lead to severe tissue damage.

CO poisoning is extremely serious and can be life threatening. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know shows signs of CO poisoning.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:

dull headache
weakness
nausea
vomiting
confusion
dizziness
difficulty breathing

If you breathe in large amounts on CO, your body will begin to replace the oxygen in your blood with CO. When this occurs, you can become unconscious. Death may occur in these cases.

You should go to the hospital right away if you’ve been exposed to a source of CO, even if you don’t show symptoms of CO poisoning.

Who is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

CO poisoning occurs when there’s a large amount of CO present in the air. The actual poisoning happens when you breathe in this air, especially if you’re in a place that isn’t well ventilated.

The risk for inhaling too much CO increases if you’re near any of the following:

fuel-burning space heater
gas stove or stovetop
water heater
fireplace
idling car or truck in a garage or enclosed space
furnace
recreational vehicles with gas heaters

These appliances typically produce a safe amount of CO. However, the amount of CO in the air can increase quickly if these appliances are used in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.

If you use these appliances in your home, you should place a CO detector near these appliances. It’s also important to avoid leaving your car running inside your garage or other enclosed spaces.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed?

A doctor or nurse will take a blood sample to determine the amount of CO in your blood. Once CO levels increase to 70 parts per million (ppm) and above, symptoms become more noticeable. These symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, and unconsciousness.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?

If a doctor suspects you have CO poisoning, you’ll receive treatment immediately once you’re in the hospital. Quick treatment is essential to prevent life-threatening complications. Treatment may involve:

Oxygen treatment

The best way to treat CO poisoning is to breathe in pure oxygen. This treatment increases oxygen levels in the blood and helps to remove CO from the blood. Your doctor will place an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth and ask you to inhale. If you’re unable to breathe on your own, you’ll receive oxygen through a ventilator.

Oxygen chamber

Your doctor may temporarily place you in a pressurized oxygen chamber (also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber). The oxygen chamber has twice the pressure of normal air. This treatment quickly increases oxygen levels in the blood and it’s typically used in severe cases of CO poisoning or to treat CO poisoning in pregnant women.

Emergency care

You should never treat CO poisoning yourself. If you believe you have CO poisoning, go outdoors immediately and call 911. Don’t drive yourself to the hospital, because you may pass out while driving.

Researchers may have antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning »

What are the long-term health risks of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Even minor cases of CO poisoning can cause serious complications. These may include:

brain damage
heart damage
organ damage
death

Due to the seriousness of these potential complications, it’s important to get help as soon as possible if you believe you have CO poisoning.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

To avoid getting CO poisoning, you can take the following preventive measures:

Ensure there’s plenty of ventilation in areas with appliances or in a recreational vehicle that burn gas, wood, propane, or other fuel.
Buy a CO detector and place it in an area near the source of CO. Make sure to change the batteries regularly.
Don’t fall asleep or sit for a long time in an idling car that’s in an enclosed space.
Don’t sleep near a gas or kerosene space heater.
Don’t ignore symptoms of CO poisoning.

If you’ve been exposed to CO, get outdoors immediately and call 911. Don’t go back into the area until emergency service professionals tell you that it’s safe to return.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Carbonmonoxide poisoning: Causes. (2015, February 24)http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carbon-monoxide/DS00648/DSECTION=causes
Carbonmonoxide poisoning: Frequently asked questions. (2015, February 10)http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
Carbonmonoxide poisoning: Risk factors. (2015, February 24)http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/carbon-monoxide/DS00648/DSECTION=risk-factors
Carbonmonoxide questions and answers. (n.d.)http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center/Carbon-Monoxide-Questions-and-Answers-/

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by April Kahn — Updated on September 29, 2018

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Overview, Symptoms And Diagnosis

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Who is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?

How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed?

How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?

Oxygen treatment

Oxygen chamber

Emergency care

What are the long-term health risks of carbon monoxide poisoning?

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

How we reviewed this article:

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