Poisoning

Poisoning is manifested by severe, often life-threatening symptoms of illness after the intake of a toxic substance. Poisons can be solid, fluid, or gaseous chemical substances that are deleterious to the body even if taken in minor quantities. Poisons can either the body through the lungs, the stomach, or the skin.

Symptoms and Sign
Suspect poisoning, it a previously healthy person suddenly develops serious sign of illness, such as:

• Disturbance of consciousness, unconsciousness
• States of euphoria and intoxication
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Changes of the skin (pallor, reddening, bluing)
• Pupil change (rigid pupils, either narrow or widened)
• Respiratory and circulatory disturbances

Suspect poisoning also when several people suffer the same symptoms simultaneously (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea), or if there is circumstantial evidence (person found motionless in a wine vault during fermentation).

A few additional points may be helpful:

• Question and observe the sick person
• Question persons in the vicinity (family members, neighbors).
• Inspect the vicinity (farewell letter, empty pill boxes)

Danger:
Shock – Unconsciousness – respiratory failure – circulatory arrest. Permanent squeal, such as brain, liver and kidney damage, cannot be ruled out.

First Aid:
The objective of first aid is to preserve life by taking general measures. They depend on:

• The condition of the casualty
• Now the poison was taken
• The type of poison

If the casualty is conscious:

• Poison known: ring the poison information center (telephone number), and follow their instruction
• Treat for shock
• Emergency call
• Send poison residues and the poison container found at the scene of the accident to hospital together with the casualty

If the casualty is without consciousness:

1. Make an emergency diagnosis and take immediate life saving measure
2. Emergency call
3. Send poison residues and the poison container found at the scene to the hospital together with the casualty.