Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
from one-time exposure (acute CO poisoning)
Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms from one time exposure (acute CO poisoning) can range from not feeling any
symptoms at all to feeling major symptoms (but not knowing what's causing them) to death in minutes.
Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms depend on the level of CO in
the air, how long it is breathed, and a persons level of activity.
Many other factors play a role in
the severity of symptoms, short term
effects, long term effects, and the amount
of carbon monoxide damage.
Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms vary widely from person to person.
A person with mild symptoms may actually be severely poisoned.
Carbon monoxide reacts with hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells and forms carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). This is expressed as a percentage of red blood cells carrying carbon monoxide.
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0-10%
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Generally does not cause symptoms but can cause some loss of coordination, tiredness, dizziness,
and difficulty focusing in sensitive people
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10-20%
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Mild frontal headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of coordination, difficulty
focusing
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20-30%
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Headache, rapid heartbeat, confusion, lethargy,
visual disturbances
All levels of exposure from this forward may lead to death as the victim loses motivation and
ability to leave the danger zone (even in a fire)
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30-40%
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Collapse
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40-50%
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Seizures
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50- 60%
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Coma
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60-70%
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Death in under 2 hours
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80-90%
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Death in under 1 hour
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90-100%
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Death in minutes
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Low level carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
- Flu like symptoms
- Food poisoning like symptoms
- Headache
- Brain fog and difficulty thinking
- Problems focusing
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of tightness across forehead
- Throbbing in temples
- Unexplained panic, anxiety, or sense of dread
- Irritability/mood swings
- Mild nausea
- Unexplained claustrophobia
- Unexplained sense that there is a presence or something is watching (many "ghost houses" have been found to
have had carbon monoxide leaks)
Moderate carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
- Strong headache (sometimes described as different than a
migraine, tension, or dehydration headache)
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Disorientation/confusion
- Hallucinations
- Increased rate of breathing
High level carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
- Vomiting
- Abnormal heart beat
- Convulsions/seizures
- Lower body temperature
- Shouting and incoherent behavior
Extreme carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
- Collapse
- Seriously low blood pressure
- Heart and respiratory failure
- Unconsciousness
- Coma
- Death
A survivor may have a delayed reaction
to carbon monoxide poisoning with additional [new] symptoms occurring in the weeks and months after exposure.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause all kinds of injury and
damage resulting in a range of short term
effects and long term effects.
Tell your carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms
Return to Carbon monoxide
poisoning symptoms while in the body/bloodstream or top of Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms from one-time
exposure (acute CO poisoning)
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