Travis County family airlifted after carbon monoxide poisoning

SAN ANTONIO — A Travis County family, including two children, was airlifted Thursday after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to University Health officials, a generator was to blame for causing the family to become ill. The winter storm left many people seeking alternate ways to stay warm.

University Health says that it is one of two hospitals in the state of Texas that provide hyperbaric treatment for emergency care. Hyperbaric chambers use high levels of oxygen to treat carbon monoxide poisoning and other conditions like burns or wound care.

The hospital has treated several Texas families for carbon monoxide poisoning at the Level I trauma center this season.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that is produced when burning fuel. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when too much of the gas replaces oxygen in a person's blood which can be life-threatening.

The best way to detect unhealthy levels is to use a carbon monoxide detector. The injury prevention team at University Health urges all residents to use these devices.