Poisoning

Poisoning Overview

If you, a family member, or a friend has swallowed or breathed in a poison and you have serious signs or symptoms ( nausea, vomiting, pain, trouble breathing, seizure, confusion, or abnormal skin color), then you must either call an ambulance for transport to a hospital emergency department or call a poison control center for guidance.

If the person has no symptoms but has taken a potentially dangerous poison, you should also call a poison control center or go to the nearest emergency department for an evaluation.

Poison is anything that kills or injures through its chemical actions. Most poisons are ingested (swallowed). The word poison comes from the Latin word-potare-meaning to drink. But poisons can also enter the body in other ways:

• By breathing
• Through the skin
• By IV injection
• From exposure to radiation

Poisoning Causes

We usually think of poisons as highly toxic chemicals not meant for human use, such as cyanide, paint thinners, or household cleaning products.