You wake up with a dull headache. Maybe you feel dizzy, nauseous, or more tired than usual. The symptoms feel flu-like, but no one around you has been sick. Then you remember: your carbon monoxide detector beeped last night, but you didn’t think much of it… at the time.
Now you’re asking yourself: Should I go to urgent care for carbon monoxide exposure?
Let’s be clear: carbon monoxide (CO) exposure is a medical emergency. If you suspect any level of CO poisoning, your priority should be getting to fresh air—and then heading to the Emergency Room as quickly as possible.
What Makes Carbon Monoxide So Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, making it nearly impossible to detect without a working CO alarm. It forms when fuels like wood, gasoline, propane, or natural gas burn incompletely—a common occurrence in furnaces, stoves, cars, or portable generators.
Once inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to your red blood cells, displacing oxygen and preventing it from reaching the heart, brain, and other vital organs. Without treatment, it can quickly lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, permanent damage, or death.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Carbon monoxide poisoning often mimics other illnesses, which makes it easy to overlook. Watch for:
- Headache
- Dizziness or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or weakness
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
If multiple people in your household are experiencing similar symptoms—or if symptoms improve when outdoors—this is a major warning sign of CO poisoning.
Should I Go to Urgent Care for CO Exposure?
Carbon monoxide exposure is considered a medical emergency.
Even if symptoms seem mild—such as a headache, nausea, or dizziness—medical professionals recommend heading straight to the Emergency Room.
That’s because:
- Time is critical. The longer you’re exposed, the greater the risk of long-term damage.
- The ER has advanced oxygen therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which are not available in urgent care settings.
- The hospital can provide continuous monitoring and rapid intervention needed in cases of moderate to severe exposure.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Because carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, prevention is critical:
- Install CO detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas
- Test alarms monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
- Have your heating systems, chimneys, and gas appliances inspected annually.
- Never run cars, generators, or grills inside enclosed spaces like garages or basements.
- Ensure proper ventilation when using gas appliances.
- Pay attention to symptoms that resolve when you leave the building.
What to Do if a Detector Sounds or Exposure is Suspected
- Leave the area immediately and get to fresh air.
- Call 911 or head directly to the nearest emergency room.
- Do not re-enter the space until it has been cleared by emergency responders or utility professionals.
Where Does Urgent Care Fit In?
FirstCall Medical Center is an urgent care center equipped to treat non-life-threatening medical conditions. In many situations, we can save you a trip to the ER, particularly if you are experiencing painful, yet non-life-threatening injuries. When in doubt, please refer to our symptom guide to help you determine when urgent care is appropriate and when to go directly to the ER.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous precisely because it’s so easy to miss. If you’re feeling unwell and suspect possible CO exposure—don’t wait and don’t second-guess. Get to fresh air, and seek emergency treatment right away.
When it comes to invisible dangers, quick action can save lives.
