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62-425: When a living organism is introduced to a poison, the symptoms that follow successful contact develop in close relation to the degree of exposure . Acute toxicity/poisoning consists of a living organism being harmfully exposed to poison once or more times during a brief period, with symptoms manifesting within 14 days since administration. Chronic toxicity/poisoning involves a living organism being exposed to

124-441: A flare-up . A flare-up may show more severe symptoms. The term chief complaint , also "presenting problem", is used to describe the initial concern of an individual when seeking medical help, and once this is clearly noted a history of the present illness may be taken. The symptom that ultimately leads to a diagnosis is called a cardinal symptom. Some symptoms can be misleading as a result of referred pain , where for example

186-476: A physical examination . These signs may be visible, such as a rash or bruise , or otherwise detectable such as by using a stethoscope or taking blood pressure . Medical signs, along with symptoms , help in forming a diagnosis . Some examples of signs are nail clubbing of either the fingernails or toenails or an abnormal gait . A symptom is something felt or experienced, such as pain or dizziness. Signs and symptoms are not mutually exclusive, for example

248-562: A unique formula identifier (UFI) code on their products. This code lets poison centers know the exact formulation of a product, while the formulation is only shared to the ECHA and attached poison control centers. In Australia, New South Wales , Victoria , Western Australia , and Queensland have dedicated Poisons Information Centres staffed by specially-trained pharmacists. The Western Australia centre also provides services to South Australia . In Tasmania and other Australian territories,

310-409: A 24-hour hotline (1-800-222-1222), which is continuously staffed by pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and poison information specialists who have received dedicated training in the field of toxicology. Calls to the number are automatically routed to the poison control center that covers the territory from which the call is placed. It has a TTY/TDD number for the hearing impaired. Poison educators across

372-602: A call to poison control or a visit to an emergency department are outlined. A similar movement evolved in Europe but unlike the American movement the majority were centralized toxicology treatment centers with integrated poison information centers. The French developed an inpatient unit for the treatment of poisoned patients in the late 1950s. In England the National Poison Information Service

434-399: A disorder is known as a syndrome . When a disease is evidenced by symptoms it is known as symptomatic . There are many conditions including subclinical infections that display no symptoms, and these are termed asymptomatic . Signs and symptoms may be mild or severe, brief or longer-lasting when they may become reduced ( remission ), or then recur ( relapse or recrudescence ) known as

496-499: A distinctive facial expression or appearance known as a facies . An example is elfin facies which has facial features like those of the elf , and this may be associated with Williams syndrome , or Donohue syndrome . The most well-known facies is probably the Hippocratic facies that is seen on a person as they near death. Anamnestic signs (from anamnēstikós , ἀναμνηστικός, "able to recall to mind") are signs that indicate

558-401: A genre of toxic agents that act specifically against the nervous system. Inhaled or ingested cyanide (or Zyklon B ) was used as a method of execution in gas chambers . This method of poisoning instantly starved the body of energy by inhibiting the enzymes in mitochondria that produce ATP . Intravenous injection of an unnaturally high concentration of potassium chloride , such as in

620-418: A group of known signs, or signs and symptoms. These can be a group of three known as a triad; a group of four ("tetrad"); or a group of five ("pentad"). An example of a triad is Meltzer's triad presenting purpura a rash, arthralgia painful joints, and myalgia painful and weak muscles. Meltzer's triad indicates the condition cryoglobulinemia . Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that

682-470: A group of medical doctors. The AACT's main objective was to apply principles of toxicology to patient treatment and improve the standard of care on a national basis. In the 1960s and 1970s a rapid proliferation of poison centers emerged and by 1978 there were 661 centers in the USA. This trend reversed during the 1980s and 1990s with a number of centers closing or merging. In 2000 there were 51 certified centers in

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744-399: A higher or lower temperature than normal, raised or lowered blood pressure or an abnormality showing on a medical scan . A symptom is something out of the ordinary that is experienced by an individual such as feeling feverish, a headache or other pains in the body. A medical sign is an objective observable indication of a disease, injury, or medical condition that may be detected during

806-441: A huge impact on diagnostic capability. The recognition of signs, and noting of symptoms may lead to a diagnosis. Otherwise a physical examination may be carried out, and a medical history taken. Further diagnostic medical tests such as blood tests , scans , and biopsies , may be needed. An X-ray for example would soon be diagnostic of a suspected bone fracture . A noted significance detected during an examination or from

868-433: A medical test may be known as a medical finding . Signs and symptoms Syndrome Disease Medical diagnosis Differential diagnosis Prognosis Acute Chronic Cure Eponymous disease Acronym or abbreviation Remission Poison control center A poison control center is a medical service that is able to provide immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance over

930-741: A network of hospital pharmacies that also have certain antidotes in stock. Lastly, the Antipoison Centre has a mission of toxicovigilance , meaning it warns relevant authorities (such as the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment or the FAMHP ) about new and emerging risks of chemicals and pharmaceuticals involved in cases of poisoning. Since 2015, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has an agreement with Belgium to have

992-430: A pain in the right shoulder may be due to an inflamed gallbladder and not to presumed muscle strain. Many diseases have an early prodromal stage where a few signs and symptoms may suggest the presence of a disorder before further specific symptoms may emerge. Measles for example has a prodromal presentation that includes a hacking cough, fever, and Koplik's spots in the mouth. Over half of migraine episodes have

1054-564: A past condition, for example paralysis in an arm may indicate a past stroke . Some diseases including cancers , and infections may be present but show no signs or symptoms and these are known as asymptomatic . A gallstone may be asymptomatic and only discovered as an incidental finding . Easily spreadable viral infections such as COVID-19 may be asymptomatic but may still be transmissible . A symptom (from Greek σύμπτωμα, "accident, misfortune, that which befalls", from συμπίπτω, "I befall", from συν- "together, with" and πίπτω, "I fall")

1116-475: A pathognomonic cardinal sign, the absence of a sign or symptom can often rule out a condition. This is known by the Latin term sine qua non . For example, the absence of known genetic mutations specific for a hereditary disease would rule out that disease. Another example is where the vaginal pH is less than 4.5, a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis would be excluded. A reflex is an automatic response in

1178-535: A period of six months are termed B symptoms associated with lymphoma and indicate a poor prognosis. Other sub-types of symptoms include: Vital signs are the four signs that can give an immediate measurement of the body's overall functioning and health status. They are temperature , heart rate , breathing rate , and blood pressure . The ranges of these measurements vary with age, weight, gender and with general health. A digital application has been developed for use in clinical settings that measures three of

1240-513: A prodromal phase. Schizophrenia has a notable prodromal stage, as has dementia . Some symptoms are specific , that is, they are associated with a single, specific medical condition. Nonspecific symptoms , sometimes also called equivocal symptoms , are not specific to a particular condition. They include unexplained weight loss, headache, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, and malaise . A group of three particular nonspecific symptoms – fever, night sweats, and weight loss – over

1302-446: A subjective feeling of fever can be noted as sign by using a thermometer that registers a high reading. The CDC lists various diseases by their signs and symptoms such as for measles which includes a high fever , conjunctivitis , and cough , followed a few days later by the measles rash . Cardinal signs and symptoms are very specific even to the point of being pathognomonic . A cardinal sign or cardinal symptom can also refer to

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1364-459: A toxin on multiple instances over an extended period of time, whereas the symptoms either develop gradually or after a protracted latent period . Chronic poisoning most commonly occurs following exposure to poisons that bioaccumulate , or are biomagnified , such as mercury , gadolinium , and lead . In 2020, America's Poison Centers' NPDS (National Poison Data System) report determined that 76.9% of recorded toxin exposures were accidental, with

1426-425: A unique combination of symptoms or an overlap of conditions, or to the symptoms being atypical of a known disorder, or to the disorder being extremely rare. It is possible that a person with a particular syndrome might not display every single one of the signs and/or symptoms that compose/define a syndrome. Sensory symptoms can also be described as positive symptoms , or as negative symptoms depending on whether

1488-462: A year. Germany has seven designated poison control centers, some serving several states. Calling the centers is free of charge for members of the public. Some centers charge a fee for calls by hospitals or other medical professionals. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) (National Institute of Health) is responsible for poison control in Italy. The National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC) of

1550-410: Is a departure from normal function or feeling. Symptomatology (also called semiology) is a branch of medicine dealing with the signs and symptoms of a disease. This study also includes the indications of a disease . It was first described as semiotics by Henry Stubbe in 1670 a term now used for the study of sign communication . Prior to the nineteenth century there was little difference in

1612-417: Is available to both medical professionals and the general public. To be able to answer the calls qualitatively, the Antipoison Centre manages a database with formulas of dangerous mixtures provided by the industry, and a database of relevant scientific literature in the field of toxicology. The Antipoison Centre is also responsible for keeping a stock of certain rare or expensive antidotes , and managing

1674-422: Is characterized by a triad of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric signs and symptoms. A large number of these groups that can be characteristic of a particular disease are known as a syndrome . Noonan syndrome for example, has a diagnostic set of unique facial and musculoskeletal features. Some syndromes such as nephrotic syndrome may have a number of underlying causes that are all related to diseases that affect

1736-500: Is responsible for poison control in Sweden. The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides toxicological information to health professionals to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment. NPIS do not take calls from the general public, who are instead advised to contact the non-emergency 111 number for specific information on poisons, or 999 in an emergency. The American Association of Poison Control Centers manages

1798-594: The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) was founded to promote cooperation between poison centers in different cities and to standardize the operation of these centers. An additional part of the AAPCC's activities was poison prevention and education programs for both physicians and the general public. In 1968 the American Academy of Clinical Toxicologists (AACT) was established by

1860-577: The Mickey Mouse sign and the Golden S sign . When using imaging to find the cause of a complaint, another unrelated finding may be found known as an incidental finding . Cardinal signs and symptoms are those that may be diagnostic, and pathognomonic – of a certainty of diagnosis. Inflammation for example has a recognised group of cardinal signs and symptoms, as does exacerbations of chronic bronchitis , and Parkinson's disease . In contrast to

1922-625: The University Medical Center Utrecht provides a 24/7 hotline service (030-2748888), staffed by poison information specialists (SPIs). It is open to medical professionals only and is not available to the general public. Since 2011 the NVIC also provides a web-based exposure analysis and poison information system. As with the webPOISONCONTROL system, this is a free-of-charge, fully confidential web application that enables medical professionals to quickly and efficiently assess

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1984-401: The kidneys . Sometimes a child or young adult may have symptoms suggestive of a genetic disorder that cannot be identified even after genetic testing . In such cases the term SWAN (syndrome without a name) may be used. Often a diagnosis may be made at some future point when other more specific symptoms emerge but many cases may remain undiagnosed. The inability to diagnose may be due to

2046-476: The liver . Many drug molecules are made toxic in the liver, and the genetic variability of certain liver enzymes makes the toxicity of many compounds differ between people. As mandated in GHS , various safety-orientated government agencies from around the globe have put into place the usage of pictograms when labelling toxic substances. The hazard symbol which labels a substance as capable of poisoning depicts

2108-538: The telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances. Poison control centers answer questions about potential poisons in addition to providing treatment management advice about household products, medicines , pesticides , plants , bites and stings , food poisoning , and fumes . In the US, more than 72% of poison exposure cases are managed by phone, greatly reducing the need for costly emergency department and doctor visits. After World War II there

2170-638: The Antipoison Centre also function as the poison control center for Luxembourg. Medical professionals and members of the public from Luxembourg can reach the Antipoison Centre on the telephone number 8002 5500. The Poison Control Centre of Ain Shams University (PCC-ASU) was established in 1981. It is one of the earliest poisoning treatment facilities to be established in the Middle East. It has its own inpatient department, ICU and Analytical Toxicology unit. It serves between 20 and 25 thousand cases

2232-629: The NSW centre provides equivalent services. All centres are accessed through one number, 13 11 26, and are available 24/7. The Belgian Antipoison Centre (Centre Antipoisons in French, Antigifcentrum in Dutch) is tasked with receiving and answering urgent calls for medical advice regarding cases of poisoning 24/7 and throughout the year. Its hotline can be reached on the telephone number 070 245 245 in Belgium and

2294-467: The U.S., with the Chicago center serving as a model; these centers dealt mainly with physician enquiries by giving ingredient and toxicity information about products, along with treatment recommendations. Over time the poison control centers started taking calls from the general public. The majority of poison centers were not part of a patient treatment facility; they strictly provided information. In 1958

2356-403: The USA. As of 2006 there are 55 centers operating in the US. A 2019 study conducted for the AAPCC showed that every dollar invested in the poison center system saves $ 13.39 in health care costs and productivity. While poison control centers have traditionally provided expert consultations by telephone, on 30 December 2014 an online option was launched by a group of U.S. poison centers to meet

2418-483: The body to a stimulus. Its absence, reduced (hypoactive), or exaggerated (hyperactive) response can be a sign of damage to the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system . In the patellar reflex (knee-jerk) for example, its reduction or absence is known as Westphal's sign and may indicate damage to lower motor neurons . When the response is exaggerated damage to the upper motor neurons may be indicated. A number of medical conditions are associated with

2480-484: The country as the person to contact in a poisoning case and would take calls at home around the clock. In the late 1940s, Gdalman began to organize the poison information onto note cards and created a standardized form to collect new information on new toxic substances. By 1953 he had collected an extensive library of information on thousands of poisons and he established the first Poison Control Center along with Edward Press . By 1957 there were 17 poison control centers in

2542-477: The disorder and are not normally experienced by most individuals and reflects an excess or distortion of normal functions; examples are hallucinations , delusions , and bizarre behavior. Negative symptoms are functions that are normally found but that are diminished or absent, such as apathy and anhedonia . Dynamic symptoms are capable of change depending on circumstance, whereas static symptoms are fixed or unchanging regardless of circumstance. For example,

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2604-519: The execution of prisoners in parts of the United States, quickly stops the heart by eliminating the cell potential necessary for muscle contraction . Most biocides, including pesticides , are created to act as poisons to target organisms. Although acute or less observable chronic poisoning can also occur in non-target organisms ( secondary poisoning ), including the humans who apply the biocides and other beneficial organisms . For example,

2666-448: The findings meant and the layman did not". A number of advances introduced mostly in the 19th century, allowed for more objective assessment by the physician in search of a diagnosis, and less need of input from the patient. During the 20th century the introduction of a wide range of imaging techniques and other testing methods such as genetic testing , clinical chemistry tests , molecular diagnostics and pathogenomics have made

2728-523: The growing demand for accurate web-based health information. Based on age, weight, amount, route, symptom status and substance implicated, it provides case-specific guidance for poison exposures. The webPOISONCONTROL application uses ingredient-based algorithms to generate a recommendation including whether an emergency department visit or call to poison control is required. If it's safe to stay home, then home treatment recommendations, specific symptoms to expect, and symptoms of greater concern that would require

2790-420: The herbicide 2,4-D imitates the action of a plant hormone, which makes its lethal toxicity specific to plants. Indeed, 2,4-D is not a poison, but is classified as harmful. Many substances regarded as poisons are toxic only indirectly through toxication . An example is "wood alcohol" or methanol , which is not poisonous itself but is chemically converted to toxic formaldehyde and formic acid once it reaches

2852-454: The imagery of a human skull in front of two bones crossing one another. GHS precautionary statements , which advise users to exercise caution or be aware of the substance's potentially dangerous features, are added to a legal toxins' labelling. Toxic substances can also come with instructions on how to handle the product, what compounds to avoid mixing the product with, and how to treat a victim at risk of poisoning who has come in contact with

2914-530: The late 1940s special toxicology wards were set up; initial wards were started in Copenhagen and Budapest , and the Netherlands began a poison information service. In the United States during the 1930s, Louis Gdalman , a pharmacist knowledgeable in the chemistry of harmful substances, set up a poison information service at St. Luke's Hospital (Chicago, Illinois) . He became known around Chicago and

2976-784: The major sign or symptom of a disease. Abnormal reflexes can indicate problems with the nervous system . Signs and symptoms are also applied to physiological states outside the context of disease, as for example when referring to the signs and symptoms of pregnancy , or the symptoms of dehydration . Sometimes a disease may be present without showing any signs or symptoms when it is known as being asymptomatic . The disorder may be discovered through tests including scans. An infection may be asymptomatic but still be transmissible . Signs and symptoms are often non-specific, but some combinations can be suggestive of certain diagnoses , helping to narrow down what may be wrong. A particular set of characteristic signs and symptoms that may be associated with

3038-795: The metabolic myopathy of McArdle's disease (GSD-V) and some individuals with phosphoglucomutase deficiency (CDG1T/GSD-XIV) , initially experience exercise intolerance during mild-moderate aerobic exercise, but the symptoms alleviate after 6–10 minutes in what is known as " second wind ". Neuropsychiatric symptoms are present in many degenerative disorders including dementia , and Parkinson's disease . Symptoms commonly include apathy , anxiety , and depression . Neurological and psychiatric symptoms are also present in some genetic disorders such as Wilson's disease . Symptoms of executive dysfunction are often found in many disorders including schizophrenia , and ADHD . Radiologic signs are abnormal medical findings on imaging scanning . These include

3100-401: The poisoning, the patient's age, weight, and any other drugs they may be taking in addition to the symptoms of the illness. Try to determine what was ingested, the amount and how long since the person was exposed to it. If possible, have on hand the pill bottle, medication package or other suspect container. The treatment will depend on the substance to which the patient is exposed. Depending on

3162-511: The potential risks of (mixed) exposures, as well as their clinical signs and symptoms, and possible therapeutic interventions. As with the other online options worldwide, it remains advisable to consult the NVIC if the exposure is to a larger number of substances. The NVIC can, on request, also provide specific training to emergency medical personnel (GMTs), emergency departments, physicians and their assistants, and other interested parties with regards to exposure prevention and management. The NVIC

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3224-420: The powers of observation between physician and patient. Most medical practice was conducted as a co-operative interaction between the physician and patient; this was gradually replaced by a "monolithic consensus of opinion imposed from within the community of medical investigators". Whilst each noticed much the same things, the physician had a more informed interpretation of those things: "the physicians knew what

3286-445: The product. Various poison control centers are also available to assist in diagnosing, managing, and preventing possible incidents of poisoning. Many are accessible through phone calls or official websites . Seeking medical attention is strongly advised if someone is thought to have been exposed to or consumed a poison, mainly from a nearby poison control centre. It is advised to provide medical personnel with information regarding

3348-522: The rest of the statistics either being deliberate or unexpected. A large portion of these accidental incidents occurred due to mistakenly taking the incorrect medicine, or doubling one's dose by mistake. Nerve gases are synthetic substances used in industry or warfare that are specifically engineered to bring harm to living organisms. They may paralyze a person in a matter of seconds or cease organ function, quickly resulting in death .They're considered to be biologically derived neurotoxins , which are

3410-588: The symptom is abnormally present such as tingling or itchiness, or abnormally absent such as loss of smell . The following terms are used for negative symptoms – hypoesthesia is a partial loss of sensitivity to moderate stimuli, such as pressure, touch, warmth, cold. Anesthesia is the complete loss of sensitivity to stronger stimuli, such as pinprick. Hypoalgesia (analgesia) is loss of sensation to painful stimuli. Symptoms are also grouped in to negative and positive for some mental disorders such as schizophrenia . Positive symptoms are those that are present in

3472-435: The symptoms of exercise intolerance are dynamic as they are brought on by exercise, but alleviate during rest. Fixed muscle weakness is a static symptom as the muscle will be weak regardless of exercise or rest. A majority of patients with metabolic myopathies have dynamic rather than static findings, typically experiencing exercise intolerance, muscle pain, and cramps with exercise rather than fixed weakness. Those with

3534-417: The type of poisoning, some first aid measures may help. Treatments include activated charcoal, induction of vomiting and dilution or neutralizing of the poison. Signs and symptoms Signs and symptoms are diagnostic indications of an illness , injury, or condition. Signs are objective and externally observable; symptoms are a person's reported subjective experiences. A sign for example may be

3596-440: The vital signs (not temperature) using just a smartphone , and has been approved by NHS England . The application is registered as Lifelight First , and Lifelight Home is under development (2020) for monitoring-use by people at home using just the camera on their smartphone or tablet. This will additionally measure oxygen saturation and atrial fibrillation . Other devices are then not needed. Many conditions are indicated by

3658-408: Was a proliferation of new drugs and chemicals in the marketplace, and consequently suicide and childhood poisonings from these agents drastically increased. Around this time up to half of all accidents in children were poisonings with a substantial number of fatalities. These factors led to the medical community developing a response to both unintentional and intentional poisonings. In Europe in

3720-827: Was developed at Guy's Hospital under Dr Roy Goulding. At around the same time Dr Henry Mathew started a poison treatment center in Edinburgh . In 1964 the European Association for Poison Control Centers was formed at Tours , France. Australasian centers were also established in the 1960s. The New Zealand center started in Dunedin in December 1964, while in Australia, the New South Wales Poisons Information Center

3782-617: Was established in 1966. Article 45 of the CLP Regulation places the duty upon Member States to appoint "bodies responsible for receiving information relating to emergency health response". These appointed bodies are often known as Poison Centres. In the EEA , since 2020–2025, hazardous product manufacturers are required to send the formulation of their products to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and to print

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3844-656: Was part of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment [1] until 2011. It was then transferred to the University Medical Center Utrecht . The Palestinian Poison Control and Drug Information Centre was established in 2006, by Ansam Sawalha . The poison control department in King Fahad Medical City provides its service for healthcare professionals 24/7 throughout the year. Giftinformationscentralen  [ sv ]

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