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Warning-sign checks

Yew poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Treat any suspected yew ingestion as an emergency, even if there are no symptoms yet.

    Call your local emergency number or poison centre immediately.

    In the United States, Poison Control is available at 1-800-222-1222.

    Call emergency services now if the person has:

    • Fainted, collapsed, or become difficult to wake
    • Trouble breathing
    • A seizure
    • Chest discomfort or a pounding or irregular heartbeat
    • Severe dizziness, weakness, or confusion
    • Repeated vomiting after a possible yew exposure

    If the person is unconscious and not breathing normally, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you are able and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent reassessment for new fainting, breathing difficulty, chest symptoms, or an abnormal heartbeat.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    After hospital treatment, attend planned follow-up appointments.

The article also says

For possible exposure without swallowing, such as touching a hedge, wash the skin with soap and water.

Rinse exposed eyes with clean lukewarm water.

Seek poison-centre or medical advice if plant material entered the mouth, symptoms appear, or the type of exposure is uncertain.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Yew poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.