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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Battery Ingestion Treatment

Call 911 if the person is:

  • Having trouble breathing

1. Get Help Immediately

  • Call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 202-625-3333 (collect, if necessary) or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or go to your local emergency department.
  • If possible, bring the battery package or a matching battery.
  • In most cases, you will be advised to get an X-ray immediately.

 

2. Keep the Person Safe

  • Do not induce vomiting.
  • Do not let the person eat or drink until an X-ray has been done.

 

3. Follow Up

The next steps depend on the X-ray results.

  • If the X-ray shows the battery is in the esophagus, it will be removed immediately with an endoscope.
  • If it shows the battery is in the stomach, the person may not need medical treatment. Call your doctor if the person develops fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in the stools.

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD on October 19, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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