Symptoms

Early symptoms of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness.

Symptoms to look out for include:

Headache
Nausea
Breathlessness
Dizziness
Collapse
Unconsciousness

If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved, you must seek urgent medical advice from either your GP or an accident and emergency department. You should ask for a blood or breath test to confirm the presence of CO. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.

Detailed health information for carbon monoxide is available from the Public Health Agency. Visit www.publichealth.hscni.net/ or contact them on 028 9031 1611.