Patient's question:
My son is 4 years old and accidentally swallowed mercury from a thermometer. Is it serious? A local hospital examination showed that there were 3 drops of mercury in the intestine, each the size of the head of a ballpoint pen. The doctor said it's nothing, but I want to consult if it's serious.Doctor's answer:
If a child accidentally ingests mercury, if the amount is small, symptoms of poisoning can be alleviated by drinking milk and egg whites, and then the child should be taken to the hospital promptly. If the amount is large, it is likely to cause gastrointestinal pain in the child. Forced feeding may not be effective, and in this case, the child should be taken to the hospital for treatment immediately. In your child's case, generally, many measures can be taken to suppress the condition, and there is no major issue. There is no need to worry too much.