What is it about ?
Poisoning is the result of the absorption of a certain amount of toxic substance into the body.
It could be
- a solid material (medicine, drug, etc.),
- a liquid (alcohol, cleaning product, etc.)
- a gas (CO (carbon monoxide), etc.).
Absorption in the body can take place
- by mouth (ingestion),
- by inhalation,
- by injection,
- through the mucous membranes,
- through the skin.
Due to its chemical action, the poisonous toxic substance can damage certain structures of the body and thus interfere with its normal functioning. Poisoning can be intentional (eg attempted murder or suicide), unintentional or accidental, as in CO poisoning.
What is their frequency?
In 2014, the Poison Control Center received 54,206 calls, an average of 149 calls per day. During the same year, there were 7,472 hospitalizations due to poisoning. Half of the calls concerned intoxication in adults, the other half in intoxication in children. Women are more affected than men by cases of poisoning. It is, 1 time out of 2, a poisoning by a drug, and, 1 time out of 4, by a household product. Regarding the portal of entry, absorption occurs mainly by ingestion in children (almost 9 times out of 10), and 1 time out of 2 in adults. Almost 9 times out of 10, it is an unintentional accident. That year, six poisoning deaths were reported to the Poison Center.
How to recognize them?
The main symptoms are decreased consciousness and difficulty in breathing. Anyone who is unconscious may therefore have been the victim of intoxication. The other signs are more variable and depend on the product. The pulse can be fast, slow, or irregular. The skin is often clammy and moist. The pupils are dilated or on the contrary very contracted. They don’t react to light. Sometimes the victim has seizures. Nausea and vomiting are also common. Body temperature may rise or fall.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will consider the possibility of poisoning by analyzing the circumstances. But the main concern of the doctor vis-à-vis an unconscious person is to take charge quickly: clear the airways and ensure the normal functioning of the heart.
What can you do ?
It is essential to inspect the environment properly. But think about your own safety first.
- Do not stay in an area filled with gas or toxic products such as spray products. If necessary, first let in fresh air by opening doors and windows.
- Are there empty boxes? Needles ? Empty bottles?
- Was the victim busy with pesticides?
- Is there any CO (carbon monoxide) in the room (garage, bathroom, etc.)?
Write down the names of the products you find and their quantity. Immediately call the Poison Control Center on 070 245 245. They will be able to tell you what you should and should not do. They will also assess the need to call emergency services (112).
Stay with the victim until emergency services arrive, but
- Do not give him water or milk; these are not antidotes and these fluids will not help the victim.
- Do not try to induce vomiting; she can strangle herself, and the poison will end up in the lungs.
Medicinal charcoal dissolved in water can be given to a person only if he is sufficiently conscious, able to swallow normally: 50 g for an adult, 1 g for a child per kilogram of body weight. Medicinal charcoal is not always the answer. If you have it at home, ask the Poison Control Center if you can administer it.
What can your doctor do?
Fortunately, most cases of poisoning are not very serious. Often, symptom treatment and a cautious attitude are enough.
The doctor will always carefully examine the victim: state of consciousness, breathing, function of the heart. If there is a problem with any of these functions, it immediately informs the emergency services. While waiting for them, he stays with the victim and monitors his vital signs. If necessary, he will start resuscitation.
In the hospital, caregivers will try to reduce the absorption of the poison by administering medicinal charcoal and / or gastric lavage. In rare cases, kidney dialysis will also be started there.
Want to know more?
- Read before use It can save lives – SPF Public Health and Center Antipoisons
- Read before use It can save lives (videos) – SPF Santé publique et Center Antipoisons
- Online stories about chemicals (video) – SPF Public Health and Center Antipoisons
- Medicines – poison control center
- Carbon monoxide – Center Antipoisons
- Household products – Center Antipoisons
- Nature – Poison Control Center
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