CO poisoning can creep up on you – recognise the signs

If you are asleep, you may not notice any symptoms as they develop

Even if you are awake, early symptoms of CO poisoning can easily be mistaken for the flu, COVID-19, food poisoning, a hangover or general tiredness.

We have listed some of the common symptoms, but not everyone suffering CO poisoning will have all of them

Common symptoms include: -

• Headache and bad temper
• Feeling sick and dizzy
• Feeling tired and confused
• Stomach pains and being sick

The greater the amount of CO there is in air or the longer you are breathing in CO, the worse your symptoms may get

• Drowsiness, lethargy, extreme tiredness, difficulty  concentrating
• A feeling of general weakness, difficulty in walking or moving
• Loss of balance and sight and memory problems

…and with very high CO levels

• Chest pains
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty breathing, breathlessness
• Seizures
• Collapse, unconsciousness and death