Lead Poisoning–When To Call A Doctor?

Pediatric, lead poisoning, signs lead poisoning

You should not hesitate to call the doctor when you suspect that somebody in the house is affected by lead poisoning. It may be your child, who unknowingly consumed paint chips containing lead. Or may be yourself, having exposed for a long time to the environment laden with lead oxides. Or may be somebody else and through some other source.
Call for medical attention if somebody in the house: suffering from any sort of disorder
is vomiting profusely, has convulsions or fits or has fallen unconscious, has severe abdominal pain.
Call the doctor if you are staying in a house constructed earlier than 1978 and wherein the lead paint is peeling off and if any one is suffering from drowsiness, headache, muscular pain and restlessness.
Take advice of the doctor if any body in the house is employed in an establishment dealing in lead, or is interested in a hobby involving the use of lead. Chronic lead poisoning does not have any symptoms.
Please refer to ‘Exams and Tests’ section of this topic and read through ‘Early Detection’ portion. It will give an idea as to when to test someone for lead poisoning’. Forget about the practice of ‘Wait and Watch’. Call 911 or any other emergency number immediately.
Apart from your family doctor, the following health professionals can also do screening for lead poisoning and testing for blood lead levels: pediatrician, internist, general practitioner, nurse practitioner and physical assistant. Treatment can also be done by a specialist in dealing with poisoning (toxicologist) or by a specialist in environmental and occupational medicine.
The topic ‘Making the Most of Your Appointment’ will prepare you for an appointment.