John Myers
The symptoms are not only unpleasant, fish poisoning can also be life-threatening. You can find out what you need to know in this article on nutrition and health.
Fish poisoning – causes and symptoms
The term fish poisoning not only includes poisoning from the consumption of fish, but also from other marine animals such as mussels. The causes can be varied.
- Spoiled Fish: If fish is stored improperly or for too long, bacteria will develop that can cause food poisoning.
- Ciguatera poisoning: This is poisoning with the toxin ciguatoxin. The poison is formed by protozoa that the fish ingests with its food. Fresh fish can also contain this toxin.
- Tetrodotoxin Poisoning: Poisoning with this toxin is to be expected if you eat puffer fish that is not properly prepared.
- Botulism : Botulism is food poisoning caused by a specific bacterium that multiplies in an oxygen-free environment. Endangered products are, for example, raw, shrink-wrapped fish or smoked fish.
- Symptoms of fish poisoning usually appear within an hour or fewer.
- Poisoning usually presents with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a burning sensation in the mouth.
- In extreme cases, life-threatening circulatory problems, nerve disorders and signs of paralysis can also occur. This is particularly the case with toxin poisoning and botulism.
When to call a doctor
The severity of the symptoms of poisoning depends in part on the amount of fish you have eaten.
- If you have eaten a small amount of spoiled fish, the symptoms usually subside after a few hours or at most a few days.
- You can easily avoid such fish poisoning by trusting your senses. If the fish smells, is greasy or no longer looks appetizing, it is best to dispose of it.
- In the event of poisoning with a toxin such as ciguatoxin or tretodotoxin, it is best to call an ambulance immediately.
- The same applies in principle if you have circulatory problems or symptoms of paralysis after eating fish. Do not wait, but call the emergency doctor immediately.
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