What is poisoning

Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references What to do in a medical emergency: Poisoning. American College of Emergency Physicians. Accessed Feb. What can you do? Department of Health and Human Services.

Tips to prevent poisonings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. General principles of poisoning. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. What is ipecac syrup? National Capital Poison Center. Acute ingestions. Rochester, Minn. American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement: Poison treatment in the home. Millman M et al. Emergencies and urgent care. Wilkinson JM expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Swallowed a button battery? Battery in the nose or ear? Accessed March 3, Using skin patch medicines. Wilkinson JW expert opinion.

Early treatment can save a life. If there are no symptoms but you suspect poisoning, call 13 11 26 Poisons Information Centre to speak with a poisons expert.

You can call 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a seizure or suffering an anaphylactic reaction, call triple zero for an ambulance. Otherwise, follow the first aid instructions for suspected poisoning below:. If the person is admitted to hospital, staff will check their airway, breathing, blood pressure and heart rate and try to keep them in a conscious state.

They will treat any symptoms and try to remove or counteract the poison. If the substance is known, the doctor may prescribe an antidote. There are many different kinds of antidotes, depending on the specific poison. The Poisons Information Centre will provide the most up-to-date treatment advice. In cases where the poisoning was intentional such as a drug overdose , the person may be referred to mental health services for extra support.

Complications of poisoning vary depending on the substance. Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver damage, or in some cases, death. Some substances can be harmful even in small doses, and may cause complications such as seizures, organ failure and coma. If not managed quickly, poisoning may cause permanent damage or death. Other poisons may only show effects over time. For example, extended exposure to carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain injury.

Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your exposure to a substance, especially if it is ongoing or long-term, such as in your workplace. Do you prefer to read languages other than English? Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Lead poisoning is a condition that results from environmental exposure to lead which can cause permanent health damage, especially in children.

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website. Read more on NT Health website. Poisoning can occur when a person ingests inhales or has skin contact with household, agricultural chemicals or gas. Read more Read more on National Centre for Farmer Health website.

Young children put everything in their mouths, including household poisons, chemicals and medicines. Keep all household poisons up high in locked cupboards. Read more on raisingchildren. Medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in young children. Safety starts with locking medicines in a child-resistant cupboard when not in use. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Find an Expert.

For You Children Patient Handouts. Poisons can include Prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken in doses that are too high Overdoses of illegal drugs Carbon monoxide from gas appliances Household products , such as laundry powder or furniture polish Pesticides Indoor or outdoor plants Metals such as lead and mercury The effects of poisoning range from short-term illness to brain damage, coma, and death.

Start Here. Prevention and Risk Factors. Treatments and Therapies. Statistics and Research.