CO (caused) hypoxia is no more serious than any other type of hypoxia.
CO poisoning is no more serious than an anemia in which there is a comparable amount of hemoglobin able to carry oxygen.
Small animals (birds, mice, etc.) die more quickly because their hemoglobin binds CO more avidly than that of humans, thus they were used as alarms for CO in mines.
The fetus is protected from CO by the maternal body.
Good COHb measurements can be obtained one day to a week after a person leaves the site of the CO poisoning.
Breathing “clean” air for 2-3 hours will eliminate all CO from the body.
Breathing 100% oxygen for 20-30 minutes will eliminate all CO from the body.
Breathing (filter) masks protect the wearer from the inhalation of CO.
The skin, nail beds, etc. of people with CO poisoning are invariably red or pink in color.
Fever is a symptom of CO poisoning.
Nasal congestion, cough, and hoarseness are symptoms of CO.
The lungs are inflamed by low to moderate levels of CO and will show pathology on X-rays.
Symptom clusters involving prolonged headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue of the whole family should be blamed on viruses, bad food, or group craziness.
Everyone responds to CO in the same way, ie. show the same symptoms.
Inhalation of 100% oxygen from a re-breathing mask or from nasal prongs are recommended best immediate means of removing CO from the body.
Victims of CO poisoning should be released from medical care immediately following 1-2 hours of oxygen treatment, whether or not their symptoms have disappeared.
There is no need for repeat COHb measurements, psychometric tests, or other clinical tests following medical treatment for CO poisoning.
People who recover from CO poisoning are always completely normal.
Depression and personality change never result from CO poisoning.
CO exposure never produces brain damage unless there is a period of unconsciousness.
Low / moderate CO exposure cannot produce brain damage or significant changes in functional performance.
In environments containing CO, the levels of CO2, oxygen and other gases are unimportant in the degree of poisoning.