$Unique_ID{PAR00301}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Emergency First Aid:  POISONING AND OVERDOSE}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Siegfried, Donna M}
$Subject{POISONING Drug OVERDOSE poisonous analgesics cleaning supplies
cosmetics plants medication medications hydrocarbons gasoline pesticides
poison rapid breathing ringing ears nausea overexcitement unconsciousness
burns lips mouth tongue abdominal pain vomiting blood vomit ingest ingests
ingested ingesting substance swallowed swallow swallows}
$Log{
Poisoning:  Step 3*0030101.tif
Overdose:  Step 3*0030102.tif}

The New Parents' Question & Answer Book


POISONING AND OVERDOSE


CAUSES

     Many substances ingested in a large enough quantity can be poisonous.
The most common sources of poisoning include analgesics; cleaning supplies;
cosmetics; plants; medications; hydrocarbons, such as gasoline; and
pesticides.


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     Depending on the poison, signs and symptoms may include:

  -  rapid breathing
  -  ringing in the ears
  -  nausea
  -  overexcitement
  -  unconsciousness
  -  burns on lips, mouth, and tongue
  -  abdominal pain
  -  vomiting
  -  blood in vomit


EMERGENCY TREATMENT

Poisoning:

1. Look for container from ingested substance.
2. Determine what and how much child swallowed and when.
3. Call Poison Control Center or emergency room.  Be prepared to read label
   on container to emergency personnel and to indicate how much was swallowed
   and when.
4. Follow instructions from emergency personnel.
5. DO NOT give antidotes or induce vomiting unless directed to do so by
   emergency personnel.
6. Take container from ingested substance with you to hospital.

Drug Overdose:

1. Check breathing.  If breathing stops, see MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION
   (previous section).
2. SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IMMEDIATELY.  Call Poison Control Center or
   emergency room.  Call 911 or operator.

Until Ambulance Arrives:

3. Place child on his or her side.
4. DO NOT give antidotes or induce vomiting unless directed to do so by
   emergency personnel.
5. If child is awake and emergency personnel have instructed you to induce
   vomiting, give syrup of ipecac in dose specified on label.  Then have child
   drink 1 or 2 glasses of water.
6. If child vomits, be sure child's head is turned to side.  Clean out mouth
   afterward.
7. Check breathing.
8. Take drugs or empty medication container with you to hospital.