Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Sources, Symptoms, & Prevention

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a life-threatening emergency that affects both children and adults, especially in the winter months. Dr. Jamie Kondis, Pediatrician at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, reviews the sources of carbon monoxide in a home, what symptoms to look for, and recommendations for prevention. Because carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, people often breathe it in without realizing it until they’re very sick. About 20,000 people suffer from the poisoning each year, with around 500 of these cases being fatal. Along with ensuring your house has a carbon monoxide detector, you can have your fireplaces, generators, and heaters that use gas checked once a year and be sure to never leave your car running in the garage to prevent fumes coming into your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious illness, but is easily preventable with proper precautions.

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The St. Louis Children’s Hospital YouTube station is intended as a reference and information source only. If you suspect you have a health problem, you should seek immediate care with the appropriate health care professionals. The information on this website is not a substitute for professional care, and must not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. For help finding a doctor, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line may be of assistance at 314.454.KIDS (5437). The opinions expressed in these videos are those of the individual writers, not necessarily St. Louis Children’s Hospital or Washington University School of Medicine. BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine assume no liability for the information contained in this website or for its use.