Is it a Cold or CO Poisoning?

Dizziness, headache, or fatigue are common symptoms of a cold or flu, but they may not always be the sole reason. Another seriously dangerous possibility might be Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. A cold or flu is a viral infectious disease, mainly associated with cold weather, whereas CO Poisoning is caused by inhaling an excessive volume of carbon monoxide gas. Moreover, CO poisoning can be a serious occurrence, potentially leading to loss of life, whereas Cold is less risky. 

Since some of the symptoms of both cold and CO Poisoning are quite identical, one must be able to differentiate between them. The matter is even more serious and alarming, as a delayed response in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning might be fatal.

Hundreds of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported each year, which were initially presumed to be the common seasonal flu or cold. The confusion arises due to the similarity in some apparent conditions of a patient, whether caught by a cold or CO poisoning. That makes it crucial to get necessary awareness of the typical differences between the symptoms of a normal cold or flu, and those of a serious case of CO poisoning.

Understanding Cold

A Normal Cold is a viral infection that hits the nose and throat. In medical terminology, the specific virus causing the cold is known as "rhinovirus." A more critical type of Cold can also be caused by "coronavirus," but its symptoms are more typical, which often differ from the common cold. It is a seasonal viral disease that typically appears during cold weather. 

A patient affected by a cold may experience one or more of the following conditions:

• Congestion of the nose
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue

Although the conditions of Cold might be pretty disturbing, it does not pose any immediate risk or threat. Under normal circumstances, cold does not need a special medical treatment and often cures itself within 7 to 10 days. However, sometimes it may be prolonged due to some complications, where you may need to consult a doctor, but overall, a cold is not a severe problem. 

On the other hand, cold is a contagious disease as well. It can spread to other persons through the air when an affected person sneezes or coughs near a healthy person. It can also be transmitted to others by touching a contaminated surface. To avoid the spread of this virus, the affected person should wear a mask. 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is caused by inhaling an excessive amount of Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas. CO is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas, which is mainly generated through the incomplete combustion of fuel, such as natural gas, oil, coal, and wood. The major sources of CO gas in any household include:

• Faulty Water Heaters
• Faulty Gas Boilers
• Gas Stoves, where gas does not burn completely
• Gas Ovens
• Wood fires
• Coal fires
• Portable Generators
• Indoor gas heaters
• Blocked flues and chimneys

Without going into technical details, the process of CO poisoning can be explained as replacing oxygen in human blood. When CO is inhaled or a person is exposed to carbon monoxide for a prolonged time, delivery of oxygen to the body tissues is drastically reduced, which may lead to instant death. Typical symptoms appearing in a person affected by CO poisoning may include one or more of the following:

• Mild to severe headache
• General Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Sleepiness
• Loss of muscle control
• Loss of consciousness

Risk Factors of CO Poisoning

• Non-maintenance or poor upkeep of gas appliances, including boilers, heaters, and stoves.
• Noncompliance with gas safety regulations, especially where the appliances are not inspected for gas safety on an annual basis.
• Blocked chimneys cause the accumulation of CO inside the premises.
• Use of Charcoal grills and indoor heaters.
• Starting generators, cars, or motorcycles in garages.
• Outdated heating systems are in the older premises.

Comparison Between Cold and CO Poisoning

Symptom / ConditionCold or FluCO PoisoningCauseRhinovirusExposure to an environment with carbon monoxide through inhaling it in excessive volumeOnsetIt would take a few days to appearInstantly appears and tends to worsen rapidly, if not taken care ofContagiousYesNoRunny NoseA common symptom Not a common symptom Stuffy NoseCommonly happensNot a common symptomFeverOften happensRarely happensCoughVery commonNot occursHeadacheVery common but may remain mildVery Common. May get severe and persistentMuscle acheVery commonDoes not happenLightheadedness or DizzinessNot so common, but it often occursVery commonNausea and vomitingNot so commonFrequently occursShortness of breath or difficulty in breathingRarely happensVery common Loss of Memory or ConfusionDoes not happenEvery possibility of occurrenceCherry Red SkinDoes not happenHappens in a severely affected patientSymptoms disappear or improve when the patient is taken outside in fresh airNo changeMay improve rapidly

Important

1. A cold would often start with the appearance of nasal symptoms.
2. CO poisoning is often indicated by headache, followed by dizziness, nausea, and/or confusion.
3. If similar symptoms appear simultaneously in multiple people in the same premises, it is a clear indication of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Overlapping Symptoms – A Major Cause of Confusion 

The primary cause of confusing cold or flu with CO poisoning is the similarity and overlapping of initial symptoms, such as tiredness, weakness, and, more importantly, dizziness. While CO poisoning is more common during the winter season, it is also more likely to occur during this time. The reason behind the scenario is that people tend to spend more time inside their homes during the cold weather. Doing so may expose them to the potential accumulation of carbon monoxide gas. Moreover, this is the time when the heating system is in use at its peak, and there is every likelihood of the generation of CO gas.

A Quick Test

Although in the case of CO poisoning, immediate medical assistance is crucial, you can instantly check whether it is a cold or CO poisoning. A simple test can instantly check the main difference between a cold and CO poisoning.

While the conditions generally improve in the case of a cold, by taking rest or common medicines, the symptoms of CO poisoning cannot be relieved by doing so. On the other hand, the conditions may improve if the person affected by CO gas is taken outside into fresh air. 

How to Handle a Suspected Case of CO Poisoning? 

Once it is established that the people are suffering from CO poisoning, not from a cold, the following steps should immediately be taken to avoid further damage: 

• Immediately vacate the building. Or alternately open doors and windows to let CO gas escape, and fresh air may enter the building. 
• In most cases, the affected individuals must be taken outside in the open to allow them to inhale as much fresh air as possible.
• All gas appliances should preferably be turned off. However, in some instances, turning them off might be a safety hazard. In that case, don't turn them off; instead, call a Gas Safe-registered engineer to handle them.
• In any case, after taking the initial precautionary steps, you need to call the Emergency Helpline. 
• Never attempt to enter the vacated building unless the gas safety engineer has resolved the issue causing the CO gas generation. Once the issue is resolved and confirmed by the engineer, let the residents reenter the building.
• In the event of a severe impact of CO gas on the residents, you need to call for medical help as well. If possible, try to shift the affected persons to the nearby medical facility for proper treatment. 
• The medical treatment may include Oxygen Therapy. However, never try it yourself; let the medical officials handle the patients.

Remember: The impact of carbon monoxide poisoning may recur after a delayed time. Normally, a delayed impact often appears on the heart or brain. So, it is highly recommended to get the affected people checked by a qualified medical specialist.

What to Do to Prevent CO Poisoning?

• Ensure to install Carbon Monoxide Detectors, especially near the bedrooms.
• Check the performance of CO detectors so often to ensure they are working as expected.
• Ensure annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances, including boilers.
• Keep the vents and chimneys clear of blockage.
• Never let the engine of your car or bike run in running condition for a long time inside the premises. 
• Always start the generators while placing them in open places.

Conclusion

Carbon monoxide is potentially a dangerous gas for human health. A person affected by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning might be at risk of losing his/her life. That makes it highly important to get awareness of the symptoms that point towards CO poisoning. However, the problem is that quite a few of the initial symptoms of a cold or the flu are similar to those of CO poisoning. Hence, it is often tricky to decide whether it is a cold or CO poisoning. 

The main difference between the two is that the symptoms of CO poisoning may improve if the affected person is taken away from the building and exposed to fresh air. Another difference between the two is that a cold may disappear automatically within a few days, even without formal medication, whereas the symptoms of CO poisoning rapidly worsen if immediate remedy is not administered. More importantly, you need to ensure that proper precautionary measures are in place so that the possibility of CO poisoning may be avoided.