What are the most common presenting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
According to the cited source, “symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning include weakness, dizziness, dyspnea, nausea or vomiting, confusion, blurred vision or loss of consciousness. If exposure was overnight at home, then numerous family members may awaken with headache and vomiting, possibly leading to erroneous evaluation for increased intracranial pressure. Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected in all fire victims.”
Ernst A, Zibrak JD. Carbon monoxide poisoning. N Engl J Med. 1998 Nov 26;339(22):1603-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199811263392206. PMID: 9828249.
Contributed by Zach Panzer, MD, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio