What types of situations do you think of if you hear someone called the West Virginia Poison Center (WVPC)? Do you think of a child getting into bleach or window cleaner from under the kitchen sink?
While most of the calls received by the WVPC are the result of accidental poisonings of children under the age of 6, poisonings can happen to anyone. Adolescents and adults call the poison center for accidental exposures to poisonous substances. Seniors call the poison center when they fear they may have made an error in taking their medications. Health care providers, such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists, call the poison center for treatment advice on poison-related cases.
The WVPC can answer questions about:
• Accidental poisonings of children and adults
• Drug overdoses
• Bites and stings
• Adverse drug reactions, medication errors
• Exposure to chemicals (home or industrial)
• Poisoning of animals
• Chronic lead poisoning
• Plant or mushroom ingestion
• Poisonings from drugs of abuse
Remember, help is only a phone call away – Toll-free: 1-800-222-1222. The WVPC is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are answered by trained health professionals.
The West Virginia Poison Center provides comprehensive emergency poison information, prevention and educational resources to West Virginians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The WA-PC is staffed by nurses, pharmacists and physicians with special training in treatment of poisonings. Located in Charleston, the WVPC is a part of the West Virginia University – Charleston Division. Toll-free: 1-800-222-1222. Website: www.wvpoisoncenter.org.