Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Fear of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

October 5, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Dear Sir or Madam,

Just before leaving a friend's house, either the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm went off for about 5-10 seconds. Now I am afraid of carbon monoxide poisoning, I was in the house for another 15 minutes and the alarm remained silent without any changes. I have been there for 48 hours and during that time the alarm has never gone off. I am a bit tired but have been under a lot of stress over the weekend due to a move.
We checked for smoke, nothing unusual.
No headaches, no breathing problems, no dizziness, I do not feel sick. I have an extra carbon monoxide alarm that was first in a bag and then 10 minutes next to me, and it also remained silent in my bedroom. Now I am wondering if I should still go to the hospital or if it could have just been a false alarm, I was only in the apartment for about 15 minutes after the brief alarm.
I am no longer in the apartment but can you still collapse later or cause damage to the heart and brain?

Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf

Dear questioner,

As you describe it, it is certainly a false alarm.

But even if it was not a false alarm - which I don't believe - you are not showing any symptoms of poisoning, so we can give you double reassurance.

Therefore, I do not think you need to get examined at the hospital, but you can be completely calm.

Best regards

Dr. Schaaf