Aspirin poisoning can happen after someone takes a very large dosage, or can develop gradually after low repeated doses. Because an average adult needs to take over 30 tablets at once to have aspirin poisoning, this type of occurrence is less common than gradual aspirin poisoning.
Intial Acute Poisoning Symptoms
If someone takes a very large amount of aspirin at one time, he can develop acute aspirin poisoning. The first symptoms are stomach pain, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting. There also may be rapid breathing, ringing in the ears and sweating.
Additional Acute Poisoning Symptoms
If the poisoning is more severe, additional symptoms can occur. These include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, hyperactivity, lightheadedness and temporary deafness.
Serious Acute Poisoning Symptoms
More serious cases of acute aspirin poisoning can cause breathing difficulties, destroyed muscle tissue, kidney failure, seizures and coma.
Chronic Aspirin Toxicity
Symptoms of chronic aspirin toxicity, resulting from long-term aspirin usage, can present gradually as confusion, drowsiness, fatigue, lightheadedness, low blood pressure and low-grade fever.
Chronic Poisoning Serious Symptoms
More serious symptoms of chronic aspirin poisoning include collapse, fluid in the lungs, hallucinations, lactic acidosis, low blood oxygen level, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, seizures and brain swelling.