Poisoning and Bites

First control bleeding. Flush the wound immediately to remove saliva and cleanse thoroughly with mild soap and cool water for 5 minutes; flush with cool, running water. Cover with a sterile pad or clean cloth. Instruct the victim not to move affected area until a physician has been consulted. Consult the doctor for more detailed instructions as well as protective measures against rabies and tetanus infection.

If the victim has been bitten by an unknown animal including cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, foxes, rats, mice, squirrels, skunks or bats, the animal should be captured alive so it can be tested for rabies. If necessary, notify police. If the animal must be killed, do not damage the skull. If the animal cannot be caught, the victim may have to undergo anti-rabies treatment.

Food poisoning

Staphylococcal: a common type of food poisoning due to bacterial contamination of foods. Symptoms occur within a few hours after ingestion and may include pain or tenderness of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, painful spasms, diarrhoea and weakness. No specific treatment is necessary. Maintain hydration (Rehydration sachets) and use symptom control anti-diarrhoeal medications paracetamol etc. If symptoms persist, or you become worried consult professional medical advice.

Toadstool: symptoms include dimmed vision, drunken behavior. To treat, induce vomiting. Keep the victim warm and get medical help as soon as possible. Keep a sample of the toadstool for analysis if needed.

Botulism: the most serious and possibly fatal type of food poisoning caused by contamination of improperly canned foods. Symptoms occur about two days after ingestion and may include dimness of vision; double vision; drooping eyelids; difficulty in talking, swallowing and breathing. To treat, as soon as symptoms are recognized, seek professional medical help immediatly.

Salmonella: bacterial contamination of cooked or uncooked foods. Symptoms occur after eight or more hours and may include nausea, chills, fever, abdominal cramps, severe diarrhea and localized infections. Seek medical help immediately.

Insect and Other Bites

Ant, Bedbug Wasp or Mosquito

Wash thoroughly with soap and cool water. Apply a paste made of baking soda and water or use calamine lotion. For swelling, cover the bite with a very cold wet cloth. If there is a severe reaction, seek medical help.

Bee

Treat as above. Remove and discard the stinging apparatus and venom sac. If there is a severe reaction, seek medical help. 

Swallowed Plant: Symptoms may include cramps, vomiting, burning sensation in mouth and throat, impaired vision and convulsions. Call the Accident and emergency department, or other professional medical help immediately. If professional medical help cannot be reached, follow the treatment for swallowed poisons. If breathing difficulties develop, apply emergency breathing techniques immediately.

Contact Plant: skin reaction due to contact with offending plants. With the increased popularity of exotic and rare plants this has become more common. Always try to identify what the plant is called, or take a piece of it with you to the hospital emergency department n very severe reactions.
Symptoms may not begin for 48 hours after exposure and may include: a severe rash with redness, blisters, swelling, burning, itching and high fever. To treat, carefully remove contaminated clothing. Wash the exposed areas thoroughly with mild soap and water. Apply surgical spirit Skin Salve with Tea Tree Oil or calamine lotion. If a severe reaction occurs, consult professional medical help.

Swallowed Poisons

If poisoning is suspected, encourage the victim to drink water or milk immediately to dilute the poison. If the victim is unconscious, having convulsions, becomes nauseated or vomits, do not force fluids. At the same time, call for professional medical help. Describe the poisonous substance and the victim's condition. Ask for first aid instruction.

DO NOT give any other first aid if victim is unconscious or is having convulsions. Get professional medical assistance. Apply emergency breathing techniques or CPR if necessary. If the victim is convulsing, protect her from further injury; loosen tight clothing if possible.

If the victim is conscious, administer the antidote recommended by the Poison Control Center as soon as possible. Instructions for treatment on product labels may be wrong. If professional help cannot be reached immediately,

• DO NOT induce vomiting if the poison is unknown, a corrosive substance (I.e. acid, cleaning fluid, lye, drain cleaner) or a petroleum product (I.e. gasoline, turpentine, paint thinner, lighter fluid.) DO NOT use activated charcoal.
• Induce vomiting if the poison is known and is not a corrosive substance or a petroleum product.

Take the poison container (or vomitus if poison is unknown) with victim to hospital.

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