Is it the Flu or is it Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Is it the Flu or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
By Erby Crofutt, B4U Close Home Inspections www.b4uclose.com


The flu and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning share many symptoms: headache,
dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion and fatigue. However, while CO
poisoning does not come with a fever, the flu does.

If you have flu symptoms, but no fever, remind your physician about the
possibility of CO poisoning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
estimates that over 200 people a year die, while thousands more are treated for
CO poisoning by hospital emergency rooms and private physicians. Other
organizations place these estimates even higher.

How can you prevent becoming an annual statistic from CO poisoning?
* Have all gas burning appliances inspected and serviced annually by a
professional technician.
* Have all chimneys and flues checked annually for loose connections, blockage,
corrosion, etc. Also make sure you properly open the flue on any wood burning
appliance or fireplace when using them. (To avoid fire danger,
make sure you have the chimney flue inspected and cleaned, each year, by a
chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America
(www.csia.org).
* Make sure your heating systems have an adequate intake of outside air.
* Never use appliances such as a clothes dryer, range, or oven to heat your
home.
* Don