Can metal fume fever kill you?

If someone has severe exposure, don't wait around trying to save money on clinic visits. Hospital ICU charges can be massive if things get critical. It's much cheaper and safer to visit a government hospital or basic clinic immediately for oxygen support if they are struggling to breathe.

In our village, elders say to drink warm milk to clear the throat after metal work, but medical science says otherwise. Metal fume fever is usually temporary, but high exposure can damage lungs severely. If there is chest pain or extreme breathing difficulty, please go straight to a hospital.

My uncle is a fabricator and had this once; he felt like he had a horrible flu with shivering. Usually, it goes away in a day or two with rest, but heavy exposure can lead to severe lung injury. Please make sure the patient is in a well-ventilated space and monitoring their breathing closely.

With my high BP, I know how easily sudden physical stress can overload the heart. Metal fume fever causes intense shivering and fever, which can strain your cardiovascular system. If you have pre-existing issues, please don't take it lightly and get a proper medical checkup immediately.

Agreed, it is rarely fatal but can cause severe chemical pneumonitis. Please seek emergency medical help if there is any bluish color on lips or severe shortness of breath.

Please do not ignore this. My husband had severe metal fume exposure which turned into acute respiratory distress, and we had to hospitalize him for a week. If the person has high fever, severe cough, or chest tightness, take them to the casualty ward immediately.

Honestly, inhaling zinc or copper fumes sounds super dangerous. While most websites say it's not fatal and clears up in 48 hours, why take the risk? If anyone is feeling super sick after welding, they should probably just go see a doctor ASAP.