They will suffer from headache, fatigue, loss of memory, difficulty in thinking clearly, irrational behavior, and irritability. Recover can be slow and frustrating. Some individuals suffer permanent brain and organ damage. Victims may be highly sensitive to CO for the rest of their lives. If you have recently been exposed, a breath test can determine carbon monoxide levels.
Medical laboratories can measure carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood.
Carboxyhemoglogin levels in the blood drop after the victim is removed from the carbon monoxide source. For this reason, carboxyhemoglobin tests should not be used as the only indicator of the danger of exposure or the possible adverse health effects. Neurological assessment tests, which ask the patient to perform a variety of physical and mental skills, can be used to determine the effects of CO exposure. Because the effects of carbon monoxide may last for months, lack of elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels in the blood does not insure that carbon monoxide is not the cause of health problems. Consult hyperbaric chamber medical staff who are experienced in carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosis for interpretation of results.