On September 2, 2017, CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory (HAN-00406) on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after Hurricane Harvey.
The advisory warned that generators and gasoline-powered tools used indoors, or too close to a building, can let CO build up during a power outage. It asked clinicians to suspect CO poisoning in patients from storm areas.
- Give 100% oxygen until symptoms resolve or CO poisoning is ruled out.
- Order a carboxyhemoglobin test. A standard pulse oximeter is not accurate when carboxyhemoglobin is high.
- Consider hyperbaric oxygen for severe cases, such as loss of consciousness or heart involvement.
- Ask about other people in the same home who may also be exposed.
Poison Control is available at (800) 222-1222.
This guidance is from September 2017. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.