Poisoning
Overview
- Adapted from St John’s Ambulance guidance and NHS
- This could result from various substances such as: alcohol, drugs, carbon monoxide, swallowing poisons (such as fungi, berries and chemicals including bleach) and bacteria (blood poisoning/septicaemia)
- Be mindful that the person may have intentionally poisoned themselves
Key points
- If poisoning is suspected, call 999. Give the person nothing to eat or drink (food poisoning is discussed separately)
- National Poison Information Service (NPIS) provides toxicological information (but this service is not for the public)
- Don’t make the person vomit (or suggest they try and make themselves vomit) as this could block their airway and stop them from breathing. However, if they vomit naturally, try to collect some of this and give it to the ambulance as it may help them identify the drug/poison
- Ask the person what they’ve taken and try to gather as much information as possible (including looking for packaging that will help identify the drug/poison) and take a medical history
- Assess the person for any injuries (especially head)
- If they are breathing normally but are not fully responsive, place them into the recovery position and keep monitoring them
- If they are unresponsive, open the airway, check for breathing and if necessary, perform CPR
- Do not enter a fume-filled area but rather open the doors to let the fumes escape
Preventative measures
- Ensuring that any poisonous substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs and medicines, complementary products such as aromatherapy oils, chemicals for indoor and outdoor use and potentially harmful cosmetics) are out of the sight and reach of children
- Getting necessary household appliances regularly serviced (and consider fitting a carbon monoxide detector)
- Taking medicines as directed (paying attention to the maximum daily dose if relevant). Be mindful about the interaction potential with other drugs, food or alcohol
Food poisoning
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea are likely, therefore maintaining adequate hydration is important and an oral rehydration solution may be useful
- The patient should seek medical attention if they do not start to improve (or deteriorate) in the next few days. Urgent referral would be appropriate if they are already showing signs of dehydration
- The person may also need to discuss this with their employer, particularly if they work with food or in a care facility, and report it if linked to a food vendor
- Some measures to prevent food poisoning are provided within the Travel Health tab (Traveller’s diarrhoea, management strategy)