I have ingested something toxic — what is the poison control number?
'Ingerito' = een-jeh-REE-toh. 'Antiveleni' = an-tee-veh-LEH-nee (anti-poisons). Formal medical vocabulary.
After accidental ingestion of a toxic substance — contacting the poison control centre.
'Ho ingerito' is the passato prossimo of 'ingerire' (to ingest, formal). 'Tossico' (toxic) is the adjective. Italy's national poison control centres (Centri Antiveleni) are located in major hospitals. Key numbers: Rome (Agostino Gemelli) 06.3054343, Milan (Niguarda) 02.66101029, Pavia 0382.24444. These are 24-hour specialist lines. For severe cases always call 118 simultaneously.
Mio figlio ha ingoiato delle pillole — non so quante.
My son has swallowed some pills — I don't know how many.
Specify substance and estimated quantity — critical for treatment.
Ho bevuto accidentalmente del prodotto per la pulizia.
I accidentally drank some cleaning product.
Specify product name and quantity — read the label to the operator.
Quanto tempo ho prima che faccia effetto?
How long do I have before it takes effect?
Operators calculate this from substance and estimated dose.
Italy's Centro Antiveleni network is coordinated by the Ministry of Health. The centre in Pavia is internationally recognised and serves as a reference centre for the WHO. Common poisonings in Italy include mushroom ingestion (particularly in autumn — amanita phalloides is a leading cause of liver failure), carbon monoxide, and agricultural chemicals. Never induce vomiting without medical advice.