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| | Inhalation Injury |
 | | If no signs or symptoms of inhalation injury develop, or all have resolved in one hour, it may be safe to send the patient home, with instructions to return for reevaluation the next day or sooner if any pulmonary signs or symptoms occur (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath). |
 | | One category of inhalation injury is caused by relatively inert gases, such as carbon dioxide and fuel gases (methane, ethane, propane, acetylene) which displace air and oxygen,producing asphyxia. |
 | | A final category of inhalation injury is allergic, in which inhaled gases, particles or aerosols produce bronchospasm and edema much like asthma or spasmodic croup. |
| www.ncemi.org /cse/cse0505.htm (786 words) |
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