Education of the Week:

Take My Breath Away, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By: Shorok Hassan, MD; Sarah Pokrzywa, MS4

This week, we are thrilled to share an insightful podcast from one of our talented medical students, Sarah Pokrzywa, who was the very first to rotate through our newly launched Digital Scholarship and Podcasting Elective!

Learning Points:

1. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the “silent killer” because you can’t see, smell, or taste it. This makes it a tricky diagnosis without high clinical suspicion. 

2. Carbon monoxide exposure risk exists anywhere fuel burns with inadequate ventilation from malfunctioning home furnaces to running cars in closed garages, making winter months especially dangerous when heating systems are in constant use. 

3. Clinical presentation varies widely but headache is seen in 84% of patients. 

4. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, send carboxyhemoglobin levels but keep in mind it does not reliably predict symptom severity. 

5. Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning starts with 100% oxygen on a non-rebreather mask but also requires supportive care.