Poisoning

Poisons may be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through skin, or injected under the skin (as with an insect sting). Poisons may also originate in the body, as when bacteria produce endotoxins, or when metabolic disorders produce poisonous substances or allow them to build up. Poisoning may be acute (a large amount of poison over a short time) or chronic (gradual accumulation of poison that is not eliminated quickly). Unintentional poisoning occurs mainly in young children. Adults may be poisoned by mistaking the dosage of a prescribed drug (see drug poisoning), by taking very high doses of vitamin or mineral supplements, by exposure to poisonous substances in industry, or by drug abuse. Poisoning may also be a deliberate attempt to commit suicide.