Is it the Flu or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

As the weather turns colder, families should know the difference
and protect themselves from the Silent Killer

MEBANE, N.C. - It’s that time of year again.  The weather is getting colder, and you may have headaches, feel weak, tired, dizzy and nauseated.  It must be the flu, right?  Before reaching for the NyQuilÔ, you should know these feelings may not be a virus, but something more life-threatening. Kidde and the American College of Emergency Physicians have teamed up to inform the public that the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning often mimic the flu.

“Winter can be a deadly time when it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, so it’s important to take steps now to protect your family from this ‘silent killer.’” said Dr. Brian Keaton, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because CO is odorless, tasteless and colorless, many people don’t know they’re being poisoned.  In fact, a one-month retroactive study by the Emergency Response & Research Institute revealed that almost one quarter of patients seeking treatment for flu-like symptoms actually had CO poisoning. 

Carbon monoxide, which bonds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs, such as the brain and heart, causing dizziness, headache, and other flu-like symptoms.  According to the CDC, unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. 

“Some CO survivors have told us they thought they had the flu but felt considerably better when they left the house,” said Chris Rovenstine, VP of marketing for Kidde.  “That doesn't happen with the flu, and this became a sign for some survivors that their headaches, dizziness and other symptoms were caused by something other than the flu."

At high concentration levels, CO can cause loss of consciousness and death, and people who are sleeping or intoxicated can die before ever experiencing symptoms.    

During colder months, you are more likely to use fireplaces, propane heaters and furnaces, which are fuel-burning appliances that emit carbon monoxide if not properly ventilated and maintained.  In addition, idling your vehicle or running a gas-powered generator in an attached garage can also cause CO; fumes seep into your home through doors and floorboards.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 2,000 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.  The only safe way to detect CO is with a carbon monoxide alarm, yet 73 percent of U.S. homes do not have one.  Experts recommend installing CO alarms on every level of the home and near sleeping areas. When selecting a model, look for one that is battery-operated or includes battery backup for protection during power outages. 

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Other beneficial features include digital display, which allows you to see the level of CO as soon as it is present, and peak memory level, which lets emergency personnel know how high the level was in the home, and, therefore, how to treat victims.

If a CO alarm sounds in your home, never ignore it.  Get your family out of the house immediately and open the windows to allow the CO to dissipate.  Call emergency personnel from a neighbor’s home or a cell phone once you are out of the house.

For more information about protecting your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide, visit www.knowaboutco.com and www.kidde.com. 

About Kidde

As the world’s largest fire safety manufacturer, Kidde’s mission is to provide solutions that protect people and property from the effects of fire and its related hazards. For more than 80 years, Kidde’s residential and commercial division has offered superior fire safety technology in its smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other life-safety products.  Based in Mebane, N.C., Kidde is part of UTC Fire & Security, a division of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX).  UTC Fire & Security is a leading global supplier of fire safety and security services, serving government, industrial, commercial and retail industries.

About the American College of Emergency Physicians

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with more than 25,000 members. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies. 

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