Final answer:
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning typically include headache, dizziness, and weakness. Treatment involves administering pure oxygen to displace CO from hemoglobin, restoring its ability to carry oxygen. CO is a hazardous, invisible gas produced by incomplete combustion of organic materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. These symptoms are often described as "flu-like." Exposure to higher levels of CO can lead to more severe symptoms such as loss of consciousness, arrhythmias, seizures, or even death. The treatment for CO poisoning is to administer 100 percent (pure) oxygen which hastens the dissociation of carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, effectively turning it back into hemoglobin that can carry oxygen through the body. Since CO is a colorless and odorless gas created by incomplete combustion of organic matter, it's crucial to ensure proper ventilation when using fuel-burning devices and to install CO detectors to prevent poisoning.