Early warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Moderate exposure to carbon monoxide can cause the following symptoms:
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If you notice any warning signs or symptoms, go outside immediately and contact 911 or your local emergency services number VSports在线直播. Don’t stay indoors to call for help. If you’re unable to get outdoors safely, open a window or door and stay by the open window or door while calling for help.
At low levels, carbon monoxide fumes may cause symptoms that don’t take an immediate effect on your body V体育2025版. These fumes are still toxic and can cause serious harm to your body the longer you breathe them in. Contact emergency services if you suspect you have exposure to carbon monoxide.
Inhaling carbon monoxide fumes causes carbon monoxide poisoning. When inside your lungs, carbon monoxide can prevent oxygen from reaching your bloodstream.
Many appliances and vehicles burn fuel and emit (release) carbon monoxide. When people use and maintain these appliances correctly, the CO levels usually aren’t harmful. CO poisoning happens when fuel-burning appliances run without proper ventilation. For example, it can be dangerous if you:
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Your organs need oxygen to function. But red blood cells take in carbon monoxide faster than oxygen. High levels of carbon monoxide exposure cause CO to crowd out oxygen in your bloodstream.
If you breathe too much CO, organs such as your brain and heart don’t get enough oxygen. CO can also combine with proteins in your body and damage your cells and organs. If you inhale a lot of CO, you can lose consciousness (pass out) and suffocate within minutes.
Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. In the winter, risks are higher because of frequently used heating systems. Those who are at the highest risk of CO poisoning at low doses of exposure include:
People who have a small body size, as well as pets and animals, may see the effects of CO poisoning sooner. Pets are usually the first in a household to show symptoms.
You may be more at risk of CO poisoning if you work in an environment where there are combustion engines or fires. Harmful CO levels exist in places such as boiler rooms, warehouses or petroleum refineries. The following careers may put you more at risk of CO poisoning:
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Carbon monoxide poisoning is life-threatening. After only a few minutes of exposure, it can be deadly. If you catch CO poisoning in time, treatment can reverse the effects. You may experience lingering complications to your health after CO poisoning like:
In addition, carbon monoxide poisoning can affect a pregnant woman and lead to miscarriage or abnormal fetal development.
A healthcare provider will diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning after exposure by performing a blood test. They’ll remove a small sample of your blood and test it for CO. In addition, they may check your heart rate and oxygen levels through a finger oximeter. This device goes over your fingertip to take a reading.
Your provider will learn more about your health by taking a complete medical history. They’ll also ask you about your exposure to CO, like the length of time and location where you had exposure. These questions can help them understand how much CO possibly entered your body.
Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is breathing in pure oxygen. A healthcare provider will give you an oxygen mask to breathe through. This will offset the carbon monoxide buildup in your body.
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If you suspect you have carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning, call 911 or your local emergency services number and go outdoors immediately to wait for help. If it’s unsafe for you to go outdoors, open a door or window and stay close to it so you breathe in fresh air rather than carbon monoxide fumes.
You shouldn’t try to treat carbon monoxide poisoning on your own at home. If you think you had carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning, contact emergency services immediately. A healthcare provider can monitor your body’s oxygen levels to make sure you don’t have any long-term complications caused by exposure to the fumes.
If you have carbon monoxide in your home, go outside to get fresh air immediately. Don’t reenter your home until local emergency services tell you it’s safe to do so. There still may be CO fumes in your home. A qualified professional can check your appliances to make sure your home has proper ventilation and that all appliances are working safely, as intended. Install a carbon monoxide detector so it can alert you if you have a CO leak.
For mild carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, you may notice they go away or reduce shortly after moving into an area with fresh air or breathing in pure oxygen through a mask. It could take up to 24 hours for CO to leave your body, so your symptoms may persist during this time. You may also experience lingering symptoms for up to two weeks after exposure to CO.
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Yes, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. If you inhale a lot of CO fumes, it can be deadly within minutes of entering your body. Get to fresh air and call emergency services if you suspect you have CO exposure or poisoning.
A person who’s sleeping can sometimes die before experiencing any symptoms. It’s important to have working CO detectors in your home to notify you of these toxic fumes if you’re sleeping.
Your outlook depends on how much and for how long you had exposure to carbon monoxide. Prompt treatment can reverse the effects of CO poisoning. However, there’s a risk of permanent damage to your brain and heart, which need a lot of oxygen.
The following can help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
At the beginning of each heating season, hire a trained professional to inspect fuel-burning appliances in your home, including:
If you have fuel-burning appliances, take the following precautions:
Install a battery-operated (or battery backup) carbon monoxide detector in your home. You should:
If you work in an environment where there are high levels of carbon monoxide, wear safety equipment, like a respirator, and make sure the area where you work has proper ventilation. Where you have ventilation, make sure the area in front of a vent is clear of debris or blockages that can prevent proper airflow.
If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure or you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, exit the area immediately and seek fresh air while calling emergency services.
To lower your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, avoid the following:
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This detector looks similar to a smoke detector, or it can be combined with a smoke detector. If you have CO in your home, an alarm will sound. When you hear the alarm:
Contact emergency services if you suspect you have carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning. Get to a safe area outside (in fresh air) when you call for help.
If you received treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, ask your healthcare provider:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a compound made of one carbon atom bonded to one oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide doesn’t naturally form in Earth’s atmosphere. It forms when certain components burn (combustion). Oxygen is a key component of combustion, in addition to fuels like oil and natural gas. When the oxygen level is low in an area where something’s burning, carbon monoxide forms as a byproduct of the chemical reaction.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a compound made of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Carbon dioxide forms naturally in our environment. When you breathe in oxygen, your body releases carbon dioxide.
CO is toxic. It can cause death if you breathe it in at high concentrations.
CO2 isn’t considered toxic but it can pose health hazards at large concentrations.
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can become deadly in a matter of minutes. If you suspect CO poisoning, leave your home or building immediately and call 911 or your local emergency services number. If treated quickly, you may be able to reverse the effects of CO poisoning.
The best way to avoid CO poisoning is to follow safety guidelines. Place a CO detector in your home and have your gas appliances checked annually. With the right precautions, you can keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. Talk to your healthcare provider if you had exposure to carbon monoxide.
Whether you need stitches, a broken bone set or think your appendix might be causing your abdominal pain, Cleveland Clinic’s emergency medicine team is here to help.
Last reviewed on 07/20/2023.
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