Poisoning from exposure to any of the several forms of cyanide, including hydrogen cyanide, is known as hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Headache, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and nausea are some of the early signs. Seizures, a slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest may then follow this period. Symptoms typically appear within a few minutes. Some survivors continue to experience neurological issues.
Depending on what it looks like, cyanide can be hazardous when inhaled, swallowed, absorbed via the skin, or administered parenterally. Clinical signs might range from moderate upper airway irritation to heart failure and death within minutes, depending on the amount consumed and exposure type.
