Poisoning 

Introduction 

Alcohol poisoning

Drinking too much alcohol in a short space of time can lead to poisoning.

Read more about alcohol poisoning.

Plant dangers in the garden and countryside

Keep your family safe with this guide to plant hazards, and find out what to do if someone is affected

Poisoning is when a person is exposed to a substance that can damage their health or put their life in danger.

Poisoning is a common health problem, resulting in around 120,000 hospital admissions each year in England. Most cases of poisoning happen at home and children under five have the highest risk of accidental poisoning.
 
The most common way a person becomes poisoned is by swallowing a harmful substance, although you can also be poisoned by:

  • inhaling a harmful substance such as carbon monoxide
  • injecting a harmful substance such as heroin
  • harmful substances, such as pesticides, splashing on your skin or eyes
  • being poisoned by an insect or animal bite, such as a snake, though this is rare in England
  • overdosing on an illegal drug or medication

The symptoms of poisoning will depend on the type of poison and the amount taken in, but general things to look out for include:

  • being sick
  • stomach pains
  • high temperature
  • drowsiness and fainting fits

If a child has a sudden, unexplained illness, they may have been poisoned, especially if they are drowsy and confused. 

What to do

If you suspect that someone has taken an overdose or has been poisoned do not try to treat them yourself. Get medical help immediately.

If they do not appear to be seriously ill then call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.

If they are showing signs of being seriously ill, such as vomiting, loss of consciousness, drowsiness or seizures (fits) call 999 for an ambulance, or take the person to your local A&E department.

Read more about what to do if you think someone has been poisoned.

Types of poisons

In England the most common way a person is poisoned is by taking an overdose of medication.

This can include both over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and prescription medications such as antidepressants.

Other potential poisons include:

  • household products such as bleach
  • cosmetic items such as nail polish
  • some types of plants and fungi
  • certain types of chemicals and pesticides

In around one in four reported cases of poisoning the person intentionally poisoned themselves as either an act of self-harm or an attempt at suicide.

Read more about the causes of poisoning.

Treatment

A person who is poisoned is normally admitted to hospital for observation. A substance known as active charcoal may be given to stop the poison being absorbed into the blood.

There are also several medications known as antidotes that can act against the harmful effect of a specific poison. For example, the antidote to paracetamol poisoning is called N-acetylcysteine, which protects the liver against the harmful effects of paracetamol.

Of those people who are admitted to hospital for poisoning, fewer than 1 in 100 dies.

Read more about treating poisoning.

Prevention

There are several steps you can take to reduce your (or your child’s) risk of poisoning. These include carefully reading the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication and making sure any poisonous substances are locked away out of the sight and reach of your children.

Read more about preventing poisoning.

Last reviewed: 03/11/2011

Next review due: 03/11/2013

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Seviyorumcok said on 20 March 2010

I am so worried as I sit and type this, 2 years ago in March 2008 my health was really bad, I already suffer with Chronic Pain Syndrome due to a fall whereas 12 bones were broken. Mainly my back, my hip, my pelvis on both sides, my writ, my ankles, my heel was completely shattered/

Anyhow in March 2008 I had to go into hospital to have a woman's procedure done. I could not empt my bladder and was told it was probably my spine that was causing it, however after my procedure the nurses tried bringing me around from the anaesthetic, it took 7hrs! I was kept in hospital a fuerther 3 days under obsevation.

On my return home I was sat in my kitchen looking at my kitchen walls and wondering why were they so dirty looking, I then noticed my back door too was dirty, my eyes scurried around my kitchen walls and as I looked up I noticed the flue to my boiler was black. I rang the hsg assoc who told me they would send someone outin 3 days time. But when telling a neighbour they gave me the telephone number of National Gtid who came out within 10 minutes, the engineer told me he had to turn off my gas appliances as he suspects Carbon Monoxide spillage.

Then when the hsg assoc guy turned up he played it down by telling me CO doesn't travel nor this it go through brick, nor was my boiler spilling out CO. An Inspector came the next day and told me there was nothing wrong with my boiler. In between times I managed to converse with a lady from CO awarenes via the website who told me I was treated appallingly.

This lady gave me a CO detector, but because my boiler had been inspected by an inspector and I was assured my boiler was safe I gate the detector to my daughter because she has 3 young children, my lovely grandchildren.

Then Tues just gone 16th March 2010 the gasman came contracted by the hsg assoc to do an annual check on my boiler. He turned to me and told me a familiar sound that I was to have my gas appliances switched off he suspected Carbon Monoxide

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