# Poisoning Poisons Information Centre 131126

DO NOT induce vomiting, unless you have been told to do so by the Poisons Information Centre.

DO NOT give the patient anything to eat or drink.

Wash substances off the face and around the mouth with water.

Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms depend on the type of poison, and can include:

bite or injection marks, with or without local swelling

burns around and inside the mouth or on the tongue

smell of fumes - odours on the breath

burning pain from mouth to stomach

nausea, vomiting

abdominal pain

difficulty in breathing

tight feeling in chest

headache

ringing in ears

blurred vision

blue lips, face, earlobes, fingernails

drowsiness

loss of consciousness

seizures.

What to do 1 Follow DRSABCD. 2 Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. 3 Call triple zero (000) for fire services if the air is contaminated with smoke or gas. 4 Reassure the patient. 5 Find out what sort of poison is involved, if possible, and record the information for medical personnel. 6 Call the Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26, and follow their advice. 7 If the patient is becoming drowsy, place them in the recovery position and continue to check their airway and breathing regularly. 8 Send any vomit, containers and suicide notes with the patient to hospital.