MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hydrocarbon pneumonia

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Hydrocarbon pneumonia

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Symptoms Signs and tests Treatment	Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Lungs

Definition Return to top

Hydrocarbon pneumonia is caused by drinking or breathing in gasoline, kerosene, furniture polish, paint thinner, or other oily materials or solvents. These products cause fairly rapid changes in the lungs, including inflammation, swelling, and bleeding.

Symptoms Return to top

smell of a hydrocarbon product on the breath
shortness of breath
coughing
vomiting
fever
stupor
coma

Signs and tests Return to top

x-ray of the chest
blood gas monitoring

Treatment Return to top

Mild cases may be evaluated in the emergency room, but may not require hospital admission.

People with moderate and severe cases are normally admitted to the hospital, occasionally to intensive care. Hospital treatment may include:

Pumping the stomach if the ingested material is particularly toxic -- a tube is placed through the mouth or nose into the stomach and the stomach contents are suctioned out
Oxygen
A breathing tube a mechanical ventilator may be needed to assist the breathing
Activated charcoal and a cathartic (laxative-type medication) may be needed, depending on the type of substance ingested

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most children who drink or inhale hydrocarbon products and develop chemical pneumonitis recover fully following treatment. Highly toxic hydrocarbons may lead to rapid respiratory failure and death.

Complications Return to top

pleural effusion
pneumothorax
secondary bacterial infections

Calling your health care provider Return to top

If you know or suspect that your child has swallowed or inhaled a hydrocarbon product, take them to the emergency room immediately. DO NOT use ipecac to induce vomiting!

Prevention Return to top

If you have young children, be sure to identify and store materials containing hydrocarbons carefully.

Update Date: 5/21/2003

Updated by: Todd Severson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.