Situation Report | February 22, 2021
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted a Health Alert reminding health care professionals seeing patients from areas affected by recent winter storms to maintain a high index of suspicion for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Winter storms can cause power outages, piling snow, and other conditions that may increase exposure risks from CO sources such as:
- Gas stoves or ovens that are used to heat the home
- Generators used too close to the home
- Running cars that have snow blocking the exhaust pipe
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include fatigue, nausea, dizziness and headache. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed or unnoticed because they mimic the flu. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can result in seizures, serious injury or death.