Ha ingerito qualcosa di tossico!

He/she swallowed something toxic!

Pronunciation

in-je-RI-to — four syllables, stress on third. 'Tossico' — TOS-si-ko.

When to use it

Report poisoning immediately. Also call the Italian Poison Control Centre: 06/49978000 (Rome, 24h).

What it means

'Ha ingerito' = has swallowed/ingested (formal). 'Qualcosa di tossico' = something toxic. The dispatcher will ask: what was ingested, how much, when, the person's age and weight. Do NOT induce vomiting unless instructed. Italian Poison Control: 'Centro Antiveleni' at Policlinico Gemelli (Rome) — 06/49978000, active 24h.

Variations

Mio figlio ha mangiato delle pillole.

My son ate some pills.

Child medication ingestion — give the medication name, dosage, and how many pills are missing

Ha bevuto del detersivo.

He drank detergent.

Chemical ingestion — do NOT induce vomiting for caustic substances

Posso chiamare il Centro Antiveleni?

Can I call the Poison Control Centre?

Alternative to 118 for non-life-threatening ingestions

Mini Dialogue

— Ha ingerito qualcosa di tossico! Mia figlia di due anni ha bevuto del metanolo! — Quanto ne ha bevuto? — Non lo so! Ho trovato la bottiglia aperta vicino a lei. — Non la faccia vomitare. L'indirizzo? — Via Colonna quarantasei, Napoli. — Ambulanza in partenza. Le passo anche il Centro Antiveleni per le istruzioni.

— She swallowed something toxic! My two-year-old daughter drank methanol! — How much did she drink? — I do not know! I found the open bottle near her. — Do not make her vomit. The address? — Via Colonna 46, Naples. — Ambulance departing. I am also connecting you to the Poison Control Centre for instructions.

Cultural Note

Italy has three main Poison Control Centres ('Centri Antiveleni'): Rome (Policlinico Gemelli — 06/49978000), Milan (Niguarda — 02/66101029), and Pavia (Policlinico San Matteo — 0382/24444). They operate 24 hours and provide guidance on all types of poisoning. The most common poisonings in Italian children under 6 involve medications, household cleaners, and plants. Carbon monoxide poisoning ('intossicazione da monossido di carbonio') is also significant in Italy due to gas heater accidents.

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