Swallowed object

A small blunt object that reaches the stomach often passes by itself, but a button battery, multiple magnets, a magnet with metal, a sharp or large object and oesophageal blockage are time-critical. Do not wait for symptoms: arrange immediate medical assessment, do not induce vomiting and give nothing to eat or drink unless an expert explicitly advises it. For choking or severe breathing difficulty, call an ambulance.

• Drooling, inability to swallow, gagging, pain in the throat, neck or behind the breastbone, and refusing food may mean something is stuck in the oesophagus.
• Sudden coughing, wheezing, stridor, a weak or silent cough, inability to speak or turning blue more strongly suggests an object in the airway.
• Do not induce vomiting, blindly probe the throat or mouth, or try to push the object down with bread, rice, banana or extra drinks.
• Give nothing to eat or drink until a doctor considers it safe, because anaesthesia or endoscopy may be needed and additional food creates aspiration risk; only the honey exception below for a suspected button battery applies.
• Arrange immediate medical assessment for a button battery, one or more magnets, or a sharp, long, wide, expanding, lead-containing or unknown object, even without symptoms.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.
• If someone cannot speak, cough effectively or breathe, turns blue or becomes unconscious, provide appropriate choking first aid and call Ambulance 912 immediately.