Signs and symptoms of mushroom poisoning. How long does it take for signs of mushroom poisoning to appear? Poisonous mushrooms and poisoning with them

Humanity has been actively using mushrooms for food since ancient times. This product is rich in animal proteins, active enzymes, plant sugars, vitamins A, C, D, group B, as well as selenium, potassium, iron and zinc salts, unique in composition and taste, nutritious and convenient for canning. Thanks to this, mushroom fishing, as well as berry picking, beekeeping and fishing, was mandatory in the life support cycle of many peoples. In Russia, mushroom dishes enriched the meager diet of peasants.

Today, dishes made from carefully selected and properly prepared mushrooms are considered a delicacy. Modern nutritionists express different opinions regarding the usefulness of the product. On the one hand, mushrooms are a valuable source of proteins, natural salts and enzymes, on the other hand, they are considered difficult to digest food, can cause allergies, are undesirable for consumption by children and pregnant women, and if the rules of collection, storage and processing are not followed, they pose a potential health hazard and people's lives.

Causes of mushroom poisoning

The main cause of mushroom poisoning is the presence of toxins in their fruiting bodies. In addition, fungi accumulate heavy metals, radionuclides, and pesticides from the soil. Among the 3000 varieties of all existing cap mushrooms, only 400 species are edible. The rest are considered poisonous or conditionally edible.

Mushroom poisoning is classified as biological poisoning and is one of the most common seasonal food poisonings. Its cause is the consumption of mushrooms, which can be divided into three groups:

Actually poisonous.
Conditionally edible, releasing milky juice when broken.
Edible, but accumulated toxic substances, giving them qualitatively new properties.

The following types of mushrooms pose the greatest threat to health:

pale toadstools (contain the poisons amanitin and phalloidin, which quickly destroy liver cells, causing kidney degeneration);
red and panther fly agarics (contain hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which negatively affect the central nervous system);
satanic mushrooms (cause gastrointestinal disorders);
parterre mushrooms (the effect of the poison affects the nervous system, primarily the vegetative one);
Svinushka (contains radioactive isotopes of copper and cesium, salts of heavy metals, lectins, potentially dangerous to the circulatory system, the poison of Svinushka causes allergies);
false honey mushrooms (the toxicity of the fringed galerina is equivalent to the poison of the pale grebe);
gall mushrooms (resinous substances contained in the pulp of the mushroom irritate the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines);
cobwebs (orellanin and its metabolites lead to kidney damage, disruption of RNA and DNA structures);
lepiots (cyanides rapidly attack brain cells);
fibers (muscarine and its isotropes affect the gastrointestinal tract, central and peripheral nervous system).

If harvested incorrectly and processing conditions are violated, strings and morels containing gyromitrin and gelvelic acid become toxic. Gyromitrin is resistant to thermal effects, accumulating in the body, and begins to act gradually. Excessive consumption of morels and strings is life-threatening.

The list of reasons that can lead to mushroom poisoning includes the following:

collecting unfamiliar or unfamiliar specimens;
picking mushrooms on the roadside, in close proximity to industrial enterprises, in areas of high radioactivity;
inattentive examination of parts of the mushroom: legs, caps, cap plates;
collecting wormy or rotten, old mushrooms;
biting the cap, taking a sample in its raw form;
use of low-quality packaging;
failure to comply with personal hygiene rules when picking mushrooms;
long-term (more than three hours) storage of the unprocessed product;
non-compliance with the rules of heat treatment of mushrooms;
eating stale mushrooms;
eating mushrooms with alcohol.

Certain types of mushrooms pose a danger due to their hallucinogenic components.

Mushrooms of the Psilocybe family (Psilocybe mexicanis and Psilocybe semilanceolata) contain the poison psilocin, which causes severe loss of strength and mental disorders: depressive states, delusions, hallucinations, severe suicidal tendencies.

A common cause of mushroom poisoning is the accumulation of radionuclides in the tissues of the mushroom cap (to a lesser extent, the stem), the most active of which is cesium. The most dangerous in this regard are the tubular mushrooms: Polish mushroom, butter mushroom, moss mushroom, as well as bitter mushroom and svinushka. Highly accumulating plants also include russula, milkweed, and greenfinch. The boletus, boletus, porcini mushroom, chanterelle and common boletus have an average ability to accumulate radionuclides. The safest from this point of view are honey mushrooms, variegated umbrella mushroom, pearl puffball, oyster mushroom, and champignon.

For safety reasons, mushrooms are thoroughly washed before cooking, then soaked for 24 hours in cool water. The concentration of cesium-137 is significantly reduced as a result of prolonged (up to 60 minutes) cooking with the addition of citric acid or vinegar. The broth is drained 2-3 times.

Timely familiarization with the rules of collection, storage and processing reduces the risk of mushroom poisoning by 90%.

Signs of mushroom poisoning

The timing of the manifestation of the main signs of mushroom poisoning varies depending on their type, characteristics of preparation and consumption, and the amount of toxin obtained. The first symptoms can appear within half an hour after the poison has entered the body (talker, red fly agaric), or they can make themselves felt only after a few hours (pale toadstool) and even after a week or two (lepiota, cobweb).

The clinical picture of mushroom intoxication in some cases is identical to the typical manifestations of any food poisoning:

stomach ache;
nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
increased body temperature;
chills, feeling of coldness in the extremities.

This symptomatology is characteristic of poisoning with the satanic mushroom, pink-plated laticifers, and sometimes russula.

Poisoning with some mushrooms has a pronounced specificity, thereby indicating a specific source of poison and simplifying the process of its detection. Specific symptoms of mushroom poisoning:

salivation, increased sweating, spasms in the bronchi, difficulty breathing, constriction of the pupil, a sharp decrease in pressure, weakness, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, coma - with intoxication with red fly agarics and talkers;
dry mucous membranes, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure - symptoms of panther fly agaric poisoning;
muscle pain, pain in the abdomen, bloody stools, frequent vomiting, the consistency of which resembles coffee grounds (more than 20-25 times a day), heart and kidney failure, jaundice, coma - in case of poisoning with toadstools;
convulsions, hemolysis, kidney damage, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen, jaundice, complete or partial loss of consciousness - when eating toxic morels and strings.

The danger of mushroom poisoning is not completely eliminated by processing the product. Canned mushrooms, if stored for a long time in a closed container, can cause botulinum toxin intoxication, i.e. botulism. Containers with bulging lids should be suspicious. The following symptoms of mushroom poisoning due to violations of conservation rules are identified:

sudden nausea and vomiting;
pain and cramping in the abdomen;
intense headache;
fever;
dilated pupils;
impaired coordination of movements;
changes in consciousness.

To avoid poisoning from canned mushrooms, you should carefully follow the canning technology, monitor the hygiene of the room in which food is prepared, and do not purchase ready-made canned mushrooms at spontaneous markets or from sellers who do not have a certificate.

First aid for mushroom poisoning

At the first suspicion of possible mushroom poisoning, you should immediately call an ambulance, and then take the following emergency measures:

rinse the victim’s stomach with plenty of water (drink at least 1 liter, then press on the root of the tongue to induce vomiting, repeat until clean rinsing water appears);
in the absence of bowel movements, do a cleansing enema (some types of mushrooms cause constipation rather than diarrhea) or take a saline laxative (for example, Carlsbad salt);
take a sorbent (Activated carbon, Sorbex, Enterosgel, etc.);
give plenty of drink (still mineral water or strong sweet tea), in case of uncontrollable vomiting, give drink often, but no more than 1 tablespoon at a time;
provide the patient with peace and warmth by placing a heating pad at his feet;
provide the victim with access to fresh air.

Samples of mushroom dishes left over from consumption should be preserved to quickly determine the type of toxin.

It is not recommended to take any medications on your own (except for sorbents) before the doctor arrives. If mushroom poisoning is suspected, first aid measures should be applied to all participants in the meal. It should be kept in mind that gastric lavage at home should not be done for children under five years of age.

Mushroom poisoning requires hospital treatment. When signs such as bloody diarrhea, dry lips and palms, pale skin, blurred vision, inhibition of speech processes, and slow pulse appear, it is necessary to transport the victim to the hospital as quickly as possible. Rare types of poisons require treatment in a toxicology department specially equipped for this purpose.

Treatment of mushroom poisoning

If necessary, the ambulance team can begin providing first aid at home, taking measures to support the functions of vital organs in conditions of severe intoxication:

placement of a drip with drugs that replenish fluid loss;
administration of drugs that regulate the functioning of the heart and lungs (intramuscular or intravenous);
elimination of respiratory failure (by using a breathing mask or performing artificial ventilation);
performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (in case of clinical death).

In case of poisoning with toadstool, emergency extracorporeal detoxification is indicated.

If the patient’s condition allows, he is transported to a hospital for the earliest possible start of complex treatment. In a hospital setting, mushroom poisoning is treated in several stages:

Removing toxins from the body.
Prevention (and if the condition has developed, then treatment) of respiratory, renal, hepatic and cardiovascular failure;
Restoration of damaged body systems.

At the first stage, the patient is given a gastric lavage using a tube, a saline laxative and intravenous administration of solutions to force diuresis are prescribed. To eliminate collapse, plasma substitutes are used: Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride solution, polyglucin in a volume of at least 3-5 liters per day into a vein drip. The blood is passed through sorbents until it is completely cleansed of poisons. In case of significant intoxication, a blood transfusion is performed. In case of poisoning with talker or fly agaric, in case of altered states of consciousness, an antidote (Atropine) is administered subcutaneously in an individually determined dose.

At the second stage, Mezaton or norepinephrine is used to normalize low blood pressure. In order to prevent liver damage, hydrocortisone or its analogues, broad-spectrum antibiotics, are prescribed. For heart failure, the use of Strophanthin and Korglykon is indicated.

At the final stage of treatment, a strict diet is prescribed for 1–2 weeks in order to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended to drink plenty of warm drinks (black tea, jelly, dried fruit compote), weak and low-fat meat broths, rice, oatmeal, buckwheat porridge with water, crackers. Coffee, cocoa, alcohol, canned food, fatty meat and fish dishes, seafood, fried eggs, raw vegetables, fruits, dairy products, butter, and confectionery are strictly prohibited.

Mushroom poisoning in children

Children, showing cognitive activity, taste objects and are not able to distinguish edible mushrooms from poisonous ones. After contact with a fly agaric or toadstool, they may touch their mouth, teeth, tongue, or pick up food or toys with dirty hands. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning appear more painful and vivid in children. In case of poisoning by edible mushrooms, the first signs appear no later than six hours later, if inedible specimens enter the child’s stomach, within a few minutes.

Mushroom poisoning in a child is characterized by the following symptoms:

sharp colicky pain in the abdomen;
severe paroxysmal vomiting;
diarrhea;
myalgia;
sudden loss of strength;
dizziness and headaches;
hypersecretion of sweat and salivary glands;
short-term, periodically recurring convulsions;
severe lethargy;
auditory or visual hallucination;
loss of consciousness.

In addition to the general symptoms characteristic of a patient of any age, in case of mushroom poisoning in children, in the process of dehydration, acetonemic syndrome occurs, associated with impaired absorption of ketone bodies. A specific ammonia odor can be heard from the patient’s mouth, as well as from his urine.

Treatment of childhood poisoning at home is unacceptable.

While waiting for medical specialists, it is necessary to perform gastric lavage (if the patient is over five years old), ensure constant drinking to avoid dehydration. During attacks of vomiting, it is necessary to ensure that the child does not choke on the vomit; to do this, the head should be supported. The victim should not be left alone while waiting for an ambulance.

Due to the fact that the chitinous layer that covers the mushroom is practically not broken down in the child’s digestive system, which is unadapted to this, the consumption of even absolutely safe and benign mushrooms as food for preschool children is not recommended. Children under twelve years of age are allowed to consume mushrooms in strictly limited quantities.

Mushroom poisoning in pregnant women

Mushroom poisoning during the perinatal period can be extremely dangerous. Some types of toxins are able to penetrate the placenta and affect the systems of the developing fetus, which can lead to pregnancy failure and miscarriage. Treatment of poisoning in pregnant women is complicated by restrictions in taking medications. The immediate threat to the mother's health is expressed in a high risk of dehydration, disruption of the water-salt balance, changes in blood characteristics, leading to its thickening and increased risk of blood clots.

In the case of a successful outcome, when a healthy placenta still prevents the penetration of the toxin into the organs and tissues of the fetus, the possibility of negative consequences of intoxication remains for it. Due to blood thickening in the mother's body, there is an increased production of the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for the contractility of the uterus. This phenomenon poses the following danger to the child:

development of hypoxia (vascular spasms and continuous uterine contractions can lead to a lack of oxygen, which will affect the formation of the central nervous system of the fetus);
premature birth (this can also be caused by uterine contractions);
the formation of secondary pathology (disorders of the cardiovascular, central nervous, excretory systems, in extreme cases leading to intrauterine fetal death).

Mushroom poisoning in the elderly

Mushroom poisoning in older people is less severe than in children. With the limitation of the body's compensatory capabilities, there is a lack of resources to independently overcome painful conditions. At the same time, in elderly people, mushroom poisoning is complicated by an increased load on the kidneys and liver (up to the development of kidney and liver failure). Against the background of existing diseases of these organs, severe intoxication can cause the rapid death of the patient.

Complications and consequences

The consequences of mushroom poisoning vary widely: from gastroenteritis and intestinal dysfunction to acute pathologies of the blood, central nervous system, respiratory system, and the development of heart failure.

If first aid is not provided in a timely manner or treatment in a hospital is refused, death from poisoning with pale toadstools occurs in 90% of cases, and with fly agarics in 50% of cases. A dose of 1-2 mushrooms is considered fatal.

Kidney failure caused by intense intoxication can also cause death.

If symptoms of poisoning are quickly detected and a full course of treatment is carried out, severe consequences for the body are usually not observed.

Prevention of mushroom poisoning

a thorough study of the types of mushrooms, their external characteristics under the guidance of experienced mushroom pickers or with the help of specialized reference books;
ignoring all unfamiliar, suspicious, unusual specimens that raise even slight doubts;
collecting mushrooms in places remote from large industrial enterprises, in environmentally friendly natural areas;
carrying the collected product in a bucket or basket (not in a plastic bag);
refusal to eat raw mushrooms;
thorough heat treatment according to culinary rules for each type of mushroom;
refusal to store mushrooms in clay, aluminum or galvanized containers;
high-quality supervision of children in the forest, monitoring their compliance with personal hygiene rules;
washing hands when in contact with poisonous mushrooms;
compliance with the rules of conservation and subsequent storage of mushroom dishes.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Signs of mushroom poisoning do not always appear immediately after consumption, but first aid should be provided as early as possible. Read the article on what to do in case of mushroom intoxication.

Signs of mushroom poisoning and what to do in case of gall fungus intoxication at home

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning and advanced intoxication, principles of treatment of gastrointestinal poisons are discussed in the article. Let us first consider the post-syndromic classification, on the basis of which we can describe in detail the manifestations of toxic infection.

Many mushrooms with varying degrees of toxicity cause a similar clinical picture. When determining what to do in case of mushroom poisoning, you need to determine the type of aggressive factor. One category can cause different pathological syndromes.

Diagnosis problems arise due to the difficulty of identifying the toxin. The man is sure that he only collected edible mushrooms. The type of toxic agent can be indirectly assessed by studying how long it took for mushroom poisoning to occur in a patient. Read more below.

There are syndromes with short and long latent periods. In case of poisoning with toadstool, the first signs are observed after 1-3 hours. Intoxication with gall fungus - after 4-6 hours.

Practical experience shows that in case of collective poisoning, syndromes with long and short latent intervals arise in response to the same stimulus. Severe intoxication can be traced to the combined influence of several mushroom toxins: fly agaric, false mushrooms, gall mushroom.

For conditionally edible species, the intoxication syndrome is not characterized by high severity (rows, valui, milk mushrooms, violins). Pathological manifestations of the gastrointestinal tract arise due to a low concentration of toxin, since the raw materials are partially thermally processed. Only with insufficient temperature and lack of double rinsing is intestinal inflammation possible.

Some conditionally edible mushrooms require long-term soaking and salting for more than 6 weeks. Without such treatment they do not lose their toxicity.

How to suspect poisoning

Describing the first signs of mushroom intoxication syndrome, the main types should be distinguished.

Type 1 poisoning

Type 1 – gastroenteritis due to intoxication with toadstool. High toxicity ensures a mortality rate of 40-90%. Fatalities are due to late presentation, although the first signs can be noticed 1 hour after consumption. The similarity with champignon and russula does not allow a person to tell the doctor about the type of poisoning agent. Effective treatment at home is impossible. The first signs of toadstool poisoning appear late - after 8-14 hours. Increased heart rate, increased urination, renal and hepatic failure are late manifestations.

If the first signs are detected in a timely manner, severe complications are prevented:

Dizziness;
Temperature increase;
Increased heart rate.

If you do not compare the manifestations with the consumption of mushrooms, it is difficult to predict the intoxication syndrome against the background of intoxication.

Similar changes are caused by the gall fungus. Only its concentration is much higher for damage to internal organs.

As the season begins, poisoning from improperly prepared or poisonous mushrooms becomes quite common. Statistics indicate an approximate figure of four percent for all reported cases. The trouble with this type of poisoning is that it entails life-threatening consequences and irreversible changes in the internal organ systems as a result of the resulting intoxication. Every person needs to have knowledge of what the first signs of mushroom poisoning are.

Signs and classification of poisons

Mushroom poisoning can be divided into two main groups according to temporary factors:

the appearance of the first signs thirty minutes after eating, a short latent period;
long latent period of more than four hours.

Intoxication of the body and the development of symptoms cause certain difficulties in determining the type of toxin; many types of conditionally edible and poisonous mushrooms, when consumed, cause a similar clinical picture of deterioration in well-being. It is possible to partially determine what type of toxin has entered the body by analyzing the latent period, that is, the time factor. Particularly difficult to determine are combined forms of poisoning with several types of toxins, then the picture of the latent period is blurred.

1. The first type of intoxication signs.

Signs of poisoning by poisonous mushrooms with a high degree of toxic dangerous poisons are the most pronounced. As a rule, the first signs will appear within an hour:

Mild nausea and dizziness;
Slight chills due to increased body temperature;
Increased heart rate and pulse rate.

Gastroenteritis develops. After ten hours the following will be added:

increased urination;
gagging;
bright symptoms of gastroenterocolitis;
spasms of internal organs and muscle cramps;
rapidly increasing signs of renal and liver failure.

Treatment must be carried out only in a hospital. First aid provided at home will significantly facilitate the rehabilitation period. In the absence of timely medical care, the mortality rate for poisoning is approximately 90% for cases of contacting doctors on the second or third day.

2. Second place The qualification is poisoning with mushrooms that contain toxic substances such as muscarines, mouse poisons, mycoatropines.

How long it takes for symptoms to appear depends on the amount of toxins. The appearance of the first signs is recorded after a period of three hours and is characterized by the following symptomatic factors:

vomiting reflex;
acute stomach pain;
significant constriction of the pupil;
excessive salivation;
excessive sweating with increasing weakness;
disturbance of the respiratory rhythm and the appearance of shortness of breath;
decreased heart rate and decreased pulse;
disturbance of the psycho-emotional state and the appearance of delusions and hallucinations.

A large amount of consumed toxic substance can lead, in the absence of medical measures, to falling into a coma. The mortality rate is quite low and is about 5%.

3. The third type is galvellic acid poisoning.

It is contained in mushrooms, its concentration may change depending on weather conditions: during the rainy period it increases, with the onset of dry, sunny weather it decreases significantly.

What effect does acid have on the body and for how long? Symptoms of poisoning will begin to appear eight hours after eating strings (a conditionally edible mushroom).

Cravings in the stomach;
General decrease in vitality and, as a result, deterioration in well-being;
Nausea and frequent urge to go to the toilet;
Presence of a dull headache;
The appearance of obstructive jaundice of the mucous membranes on the second day;
Destruction of red blood cells and manifestation of the hemolysis process.

Serious consequences can include the onset of hypoxia of brain activity and disturbances in internal organs associated with oxygen starvation.

4. Intoxication by taking false mushrooms, honey mushrooms, russula, gall mushrooms.

The appearance of the first signs is observed after the beginning of a time period of one to five hours.

Loose stools;
Sharp pain in the stomach area;
Presence of gastrointestinal bleeding;
General weakness caused by a drop in blood pressure;
Increased heart rate and pulse rates.

Intoxication syndromes

The manifestations of the first signs are characterized by the development of the following symptoms, on the basis of which the suspected toxin is identified. Since symptoms develop over different periods of time and are influenced by individual characteristics, such as:

concentration of toxic substances;
individual characteristics of the body;
and tactics of measures taken to provide first emergency aid.

Atropine or anticholinergic poisoning;
Muscarinic or cholinomimetic poisoning;
Coprinic or teturamopod intoxication;
Hallucinatory poisonous substances;
Gastroenterocolitis caused by resinoid substances.

Based on the duration of the latent period, the following types are distinguished:

Phalloid syndrome is caused by ingesting fly agaric mushrooms or toadstool.

It is characterized by a fairly long sleeping period, reaching eight hours. The main toxic effects are on hepatocyte cells and the membrane base of the kidneys and stomach. To start the process, 0.1 mg of a toxic substance enters the body. The highest concentration is observed in the caps of the plant. The mechanism of action is determined by the blockade of enzymes responsible for the respiratory cycle of cells. The high mortality rate from this poisoning is due to irreversible changes in the kidneys and liver.

Orlan or teturama-like syndrome is characterized by the presence of tonic convulsive syndrome.

Muscle contraction may be of such force that it can lead to complete immobilization of a person. If this condition continues for a long period of time, irreversible paralysis of the muscular system cannot be ruled out. Teturam has similar characteristics, which is where the name comes from.

Geromitra or hallucinatory syndrome occurs when eating mushrooms containing psychogenic substances. These properties are now widely used by drug dealers and, if used regularly, lead to drug addiction.

A person finds himself in an illusory world and, due to the euphoric nature of hallucinations, there may be a delay in seeking medical help and a high incidence of deaths.

Periods of disease development.

Hidden, that is, occurring immediately after eating mushrooms;
Signs of poisoning, gastrointoxication. Increasing symptoms;
Imaginary relief of the condition. Remission period;
The outcome is characterized by either the beginning of the healing process or the death of the patient.

Therefore, it is very important to seek medical help as soon as mushroom poisoning is suspected.

Necessary emergency assistance and use of folk remedies

If you experience symptoms of poor health after eating mushrooms, you must immediately perform the following procedures:

Rinse the stomach with plenty of warm boiled water or, if possible, adding potassium permanganate to it.
Induce a mechanical gag reflex.
Take sorbent preparations based on coal or analogues.
Take laxatives, such as castor oil.
The use of cleansing enemas to empty the esophagus.
In the future, to ensure the patient's peace and warming, call a medical team.

Before their arrival, the main symptomatic signs are removed. Such as nausea and vomiting.

Antidotes at home

The main medicinal antidote is a solution of atropine. It is administered subcutaneously in the amount of one milliliter;
Caffeine will help relieve bronchospasm;
The main direction of medical care at home should be aimed at normalizing the balance of the body and preventing severe dehydration.

For this, Ringer's solutions and saline solutions are used in the absence of vomiting.

If the patient does not urinate, lasix or furosemide is used;
For severe and continuous vomiting, administer a glucose solution.

Possible causes of mushroom poisoning

Mistaken use of a poisonous type of mushroom;
Collection and preparation of plants affected by fungus flies;
Snack with mushroom dishes and large quantities of alcoholic drinks;
The process of collecting mushrooms in conditions unsuitable for them, along roads, in landfills and garbage dumps;
Collection and improper processing of mushrooms classified as conditionally edible.

Folk remedies for treating symptoms of poisoning

A milkshake made by mixing fresh milk and raw eggs can neutralize the harmful effects of toxins;
Freshly squeezed potato juice has sufficient antitoxic effectiveness;
Broth of rice, or boiled rice itself, which implies the function of a sorbent;
Take a decoction of chamomile or a warm strong tea drink.

Preventive measures

To avoid health problems, a clear understanding of the types of mushrooms is necessary. Proper cooking and sufficient heat treatment is also an important fact. If trouble does occur, it is necessary to have the knowledge and skills to provide first aid. In fact, the time from the onset of the first symptoms to the provision of the necessary measures of assistance in case of mushroom poisoning is the main one for preventing the occurrence of irreversible changes in the internal organs of the human body. Health is the main value of every person; attitude towards it should be careful.

According to statistics, of the 3 thousand mushrooms known in our time, only 400 species are suitable for consumption, the rest are inedible and can cause severe intoxication if they enter the human body. Unfortunately, recently cases of poisoning from mushrooms purchased in supermarkets have been increasingly recorded. Improper storage and preparation of mushrooms can lead to serious health problems. Even edible mushrooms can be dangerous due to the accumulation of harmful substances if they are grown in environmentally unfavorable areas.

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms most often occurs in late summer and the first half of autumn, during the harvest season, and can have serious consequences, including death.

Symptoms and severity of poisoning depend on factors such as the type and quantity of mushrooms eaten, the age of the victim, his state of health, and weight. The immune system is not able to cope with toxins that have entered the body, so if your health worsens, you should immediately go to the hospital. Children and the elderly are the worst sufferers of poisoning. Death can occur within a few hours after eating inedible mushrooms, such as toadstool or fly agaric, resulting in paralysis of the nervous system, respiratory arrest, general intoxication, and liver necrosis. To prevent irreversible consequences, you need to take precautions in time.

ICD 10 code

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms refers to food poisoning (abbreviated as PO), which is registered in the International Classification of Diseases and has a code according to ICD 10. This type of poisoning is specifically listed under the code AO-5, which stands for “other bacterial toxic infections.”

Diseases of a bacterial nature are distributed as follows:

Microbial (mycotoxicosis, botulism, staphylococcal toxicosis, various toxic infections, including mixed types);
Non-microbial (poisoning with poisonous mushrooms, as well as certain types of fish and fish eggs);
Toxic infections of unknown etiology.

In case of food poisoning, which is caused by the consumption of foods with a high accumulation of toxins, serious complications can occur, including failure of internal organs (in particular, the liver), as well as asphyxia and cardiac arrest. Mushroom pickers should be aware of the possible risks when harvesting in the autumn season. You need to be extremely careful, because currently some types of mushrooms undergo mutation and become poisonous, despite the fact that they are edible in appearance. It is generally not advisable for people who have no experience to collect and eat mushrooms on their own. Buying second hand in markets, places of prohibited trade, etc. can also be dangerous.

ICD-10 code

T62.0 In eaten mushrooms

Signs of poisoning from poisonous mushrooms

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms may not appear immediately, but only after some time, ranging from 30 minutes to a day after consumption (it all depends on the type of mushroom). It happens that the first symptoms appear only after 2-3 days.

Signs of poisoning from poisonous mushrooms are in many ways similar to those that occur with typical food poisoning:

nausea and vomiting (sometimes mixed with blood);
thirst, dry mouth;
profuse lacrimation;
nasal congestion;
pain syndrome;
severe general weakness;
darkening of the eyes;
headache and dizziness;
loss of consciousness;
severe diarrhea mixed with blood;
convulsions;
decreased blood pressure;
pale skin;
rapid pulse;
anuria (lack of urination);
confusion (coma).

Poisoning with toadstool may cause cold sticky sweat, with red fly agaric - hallucinations, asphyxia, with toadstool - an excited state similar to a state of severe alcohol intoxication. The main danger of intoxication is that it damages not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also other vital organs. Poisons contained in inedible mushrooms (alkaloids and cytotoxins) can affect the cardiovascular system, and sometimes the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. The so-called “imaginary” period during which the symptoms of intoxication disappear. However, if treatment is not continued, the liver may fail and the person will die.

Toadstool poisoning

Poisoning from poisonous mushrooms poses a serious threat to human health and life. A particularly dangerous mushroom is called “pale toadstool” (another name is “green fly agaric”), which grows in birch forests, deciduous and coniferous forests, oak forests and is similar in appearance to champignon and greenish russula.

Poisoning with toadstool can result in the death of a person if appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner and the patient is not taken to a medical institution. The period of intoxication consists of three stages:

I. From 6 to 24 hours after consuming a poisonous mushroom: nausea and vomiting, severe cramping pain in the abdomen and muscles, fever, cholera-like diarrhea mixed with blood; Breathing disorders are most often observed in children.
II. From 2 to 4 days (latent period).
III. Clinic of acute conditions: renal and liver failure with severe anuria, coagulopathy (pathology causing bleeding), jaundice, as well as liver enlargement, convulsions, central nervous system depression (in severe cases - coma) and the development of heart failure.

Toadstool contains extremely toxic substances that can damage liver cells, causing necrosis, and also negatively affect the kidneys, blocking their functionality. Toxins of the poisonous mushroom inhibit glycogen synthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, cause a decrease in the level of ATPase, inhibit the formation of DNA and RNA, which leads to cell autolysis.

Consequences

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms almost always has dangerous consequences due to the large amount of toxins that can negatively affect vital organs, the psyche, the central nervous system and the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

The consequences and degree of toxicity generally depend on the amount and type of mushrooms eaten, as well as the effect of toxic substances on the human body. Poisoning can be mild, which is expressed by disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, but very severe cases of intoxication occur, leading to death.

To facilitate the tasks of emergency care, you need to have information about the syndromes that are present in acute mushroom poisoning. For example, respiratory failure syndrome accompanies comatose states in which the respiratory center is depressed. Impaired consciousness (confusion, hallucinations) is caused by the influence of harmful toxins on the cerebral cortex and is often accompanied by circulatory disorders, as well as oxygen deficiency.

In case of mushroom poisoning, other syndromes that worsen the condition of the body may develop:

failure of thermoregulation (sharp increase or decrease in body temperature);
convulsions (an indicator of severe intoxication of the body) - occur due to oxygen starvation of brain cells as a result of the effects of toxic substances on the central nervous system;
disturbances of the water-electrolyte and acid-base balance (appear due to disruption of the secretory organs, functions of the digestive and excretory systems), which are accompanied by the accumulation of under-oxidized products in the tissues and dehydration of the body.

The syndrome of mental disorders manifests itself as a result of toxicity with mushroom poisons, the action of which is aimed at the central nervous system. In the acute course of the process, there is a pronounced disturbance of blood circulation, inhibition of the function of the adrenal glands and the vasomotor center. The liver and kidneys suffer to a greater extent from intoxication; it is these organs that are damaged by the toxic products of tissue breakdown.

Complications

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms can cause a number of health and life-threatening complications, since intoxication does not go away without leaving a trace - internal organs and systems suffer because of it, and it takes a certain time to remove harmful toxins from the body.

Complications concern the functioning of three vital systems: the central nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory. It is very important to diagnose poisoning in a timely manner in order to prevent disability, and in severe cases of poisoning, death.

Types of complications from toxicity with mushroom poisons:

depression of cardiac function;
tachyarrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbance) - most often against the background of a previous heart disease;
psychosis;
decreased vascular tone;
hallucinations;
hypertension;
change in level of consciousness (drowsiness may vary with severe agitation);
convulsions, in more severe cases - epileptic seizures caused by the harmful effects of poison on the body, disorders of blood supply and metabolism;
coma (in severe cases);
death.

The most important condition for mushroom poisoning is timely provision of medical care. First of all, before the ambulance arrives, the patient needs to rinse his stomach.

Diagnostics

It is important to diagnose poisoning with poisonous mushrooms in a timely manner in order to quickly prevent dangerous consequences.

Diagnostics must be as accurate as possible, and this requires professional skills and special laboratory equipment. If help is not provided on time, irreversible changes will occur in the body. A blood test will help identify pathological processes. Unfortunately, visible symptoms of poisoning most often become noticeable when it is already too late - the liver fails or acute kidney failure occurs.

Diagnostic methods include clarification of the food history (place of collection or purchase of mushrooms, time of consumption and peculiarities of their culinary processing), laboratory tests of blood, feces, and vomit. Typically, the diagnosis of “Acute mushroom poisoning” is made indicating the underlying pathological syndrome (for example, “acute gastroenteritis”, “acute psychomotor agitation”, etc.).

Diagnosis also includes measuring blood pressure (against the background of poisoning, it decreases significantly), monitoring the condition of the patient, whose pulse may increase, arrhythmia, and tachycardia may occur. With the development of acute gastroenteritis, the patient experiences dehydration and a disturbance in the electrolyte composition of the blood.

If the liver is affected, jaundice, liver failure, necrosis develop, and the brain is also affected, renal failure and nephropathy occur. Unfortunately, even resuscitation measures are unsuccessful, and the patient dies. Most often, death occurs due to poisoning with toadstool: several days of delay lead to the death of the patient.

Analyzes

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms requires a full examination of the patient, which includes measuring pulse, pressure, temperature, and inhalation rate. The doctor will need to determine the degree of dehydration (using a urine sample) as well as possible kidney problems.

Blood tests are necessary to determine the severity of the poisoning. A rectal examination is performed to determine the integrity of the rectal walls and take a stool sample to check for blood and mucus. In addition, samples of stool and vomit are sent to the laboratory for further testing to identify the toxin that causes the disease.

If other diseases are suspected, a CT scan and x-ray of the abdomen are performed. In case of mushroom poisoning, it is recommended to collect food scraps - they can also be useful for analysis.

It is very important to take the victim to the hospital as soon as possible, because on the 2-5th day after poisoning, irreversible consequences begin, in particular, damage to vital organs. Death occurs from multiple organ failure in 50-95% of cases. Against the background of intoxication, acute cardiovascular failure may develop, which can lead to the most severe consequences.

Instrumental diagnostics

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms is diagnosed based on a detailed medical history. The reasons are established by interviewing the victim. It is imperative to measure the patient’s body temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. The doctor conducts a general examination of the patient, palpates the abdomen to identify pain in the peri-umbilical and epigastric region. To identify microorganisms that caused intoxication, laboratory tests of stool are performed.

Instrumental diagnostics for food poisoning (including mushrooms) includes:

fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (examination of the mucous membrane in the upper digestive tract);
sigmoidoscopy (assessment of the condition of the rectum);
colonoscopy (determining changes in the mucous membrane of the large intestine);
fluoroscopy (performed in case of acute poisoning).

The diagnostic method is prescribed by the doctor depending on the patient’s condition, his age, the severity of intoxication, and symptoms. In cases of mass mushroom poisoning, the sanitary and epidemiological service conducts a study to determine the causes of mass intoxication.

Differential diagnosis

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms is diagnosed by examining the patient, symptoms, and conducting studies that help determine the degree of damage to the body.

Differential diagnosis is based on pronounced manifestations of enterocolitis or gastroenteritis, diarrhea, botulism, which most often develops when consuming canned mushrooms.

In case of poisoning with one of the most dangerous mushrooms, toadstool, as with botulism, neurological disorders, muscle weakness, impaired accommodation, visual disturbances, anisocoria, and ptosis are observed. Liver damage, acute gastroenteritis, and severe diarrhea mixed with blood and mucus occur. Due to the loss of water and salts, general weakness and thirst develop. Unfortunately, such symptoms manifest themselves in seriously ill patients and often portend death. A patient in a comatose state may have respiratory rhythm disorders and develop shortness of breath.

Differential diagnostic factors for poisoning with poisonous mushrooms include the rapid development of symptoms (from half an hour to a day). Fly agaric poisoning provokes dilated pupils, profuse diarrhea and severe salivation. Blood and urine, as well as vomit, feces and food debris are subjected to bacteriological examination. With the help of laboratory tests, it is possible to definitively confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of toxin.

First aid for poisoning with poisonous mushrooms

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms is fraught with serious complications, and in severe cases leads to death. Therefore, it is so important to provide first aid to the victim before the doctors arrive.

First aid for poisoning with poisonous mushrooms consists of the following steps. First of all, it is necessary to induce vomiting by thoroughly rinsing the stomach. Usually, a proven method is used for this purpose: you need to drink 4-6 glasses of water (boiled, cooled to room temperature) in small sips and induce vomiting, irritating the back wall of the throat with a finger or a teaspoon. It is recommended to repeat this procedure several times, then put the victim to bed and apply warm heating pads to his limbs.

Before the ambulance arrives, the patient can be given a warm drink (in case of severe weakness, strong tea will help). Activated carbon will help as an absorbent (1 gram per 1 kg of weight). If there is no diarrhea, you can take a mild laxative. However, for vomiting and diarrhea, taking any antiemetics or laxatives is prohibited, as these natural defense mechanisms help remove toxins from the body.

The most important step is to call an ambulance or immediately transport the victim to a medical facility. Only an experienced doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment, since the toxins of different mushrooms act differently, and, accordingly, there is no universal treatment for mushroom poisoning.

Medicines

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms causes serious consequences, so the victim must be taken to the hospital (intensive care unit) as soon as possible. The doctor will examine the patient and prescribe treatment based on the severity of the poisoning, the patient’s condition, symptoms, laboratory test results, and the type of poisonous mushroom.

Medicines used at the initial stage, when the patient has acute gastroenteritis and disorders of the cardiovascular system, are electrolyte solutions that contain magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium ions, administered intravenously to the patient. The action of electrolytes is aimed at correcting the water-electrolyte and acid-base balance in the body.

If there is significant loss of fluid, various solutions are administered intravenously (from 5 to 8 liters per day): plasma, albumin, hemodez, neohemodez, protein, polyglucin, etc. If the patient has oliguria and anuria, saluretics are administered to stimulate diuresis, as well as lipotropic substances.

Forced diuresis will prevent detoxification. For this purpose, hemodialysis, hemofiltration, plasmapheresis, hemosorption, plasma sorption are also prescribed - methods of blood purification that significantly reduce the content of toxic substances in the blood.

Among the drugs whose use has proven effective, we can highlight the drug Polysorb MP, the action of which is aimed at internal cleansing of the body. This enterosorbent will help get rid of unpleasant symptoms and remove toxic substances from the digestive system. White coal is a modern concentrated sorbent, often used for food poisoning. The drug actively removes toxins and waste, while leaving the beneficial substances needed by the body. A good antidote is atropine, which must be administered subcutaneously. The dose of this drug is prescribed by your doctor.

In severe cases, the patient may be prescribed glucocorticoids. If necessary, norepinephrine, mesaton, and eufullin solution are administered. After stabilization of the patient's condition, treatment should continue for 4-6 months in order to monitor the work and condition of the internal organs. A strict diet is recommended, and hepatoprotective drugs are used.

Traditional treatment

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms requires urgent action aimed at removing toxins from the victim’s body.

Traditional treatment consists primarily of using gastric lavage products. The patient should drink several glasses of warm water, to which half a teaspoon of salt should be added. It is advisable to repeat the procedure up to 6 times. After gastric lavage, it is recommended to take adsorbents (Activated carbon, White carbon, Smecta, Polysorb).

In the treatment of mushroom poisoning, honey is used in a dosage of 20-25 g, diluted in warm water or tea, with mint. As adsorbent substances, you can use egg white (4-5 pieces dissolved in 1 liter of warm water), starch or jelly (dissolved in water in a ratio of 1: 10).

A pre-prepared tincture of milk thistle seeds (50 g) helps well. The crushed seeds must be poured with vodka (0.5 l), left for 2 weeks, shaking the container periodically. Take 25 drops dissolved in 0.5 glass of water, up to 5 times a day, half an hour before meals. You can take medications that contain belladonna (belladonna): bellalgin, bolloid, becarbon, as well as zelenin tincture.

Any folk remedies in the form of tinctures should be taken only after consultation with a doctor. Exceeding the dosage is not recommended to avoid negative consequences.

Herbal treatment

Poisoning from poisonous mushrooms can be treated with herbs, which act as an antidote and help remove toxins from the body.

Herbal treatment for symptoms of intoxication:

Melissa for nausea (4 tsp of herb, pour 2 tbsp of boiling water, leave for 4 hours; drink 100 g before meals three times a day).
Herbal mixture (mint, St. John's wort, plantain, chamomile, taken in equal proportions, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, infuse for half an hour; you need to drink the decoction often - 1/3 cup every hour).
Chicory (powder (1 tablespoon) must be poured into 200 ml of boiling water and left (preferably in a thermos) for 12 hours; drink 50 ml 30 minutes before meals at least 3 times a day).
Elecampane (pour boiled water (200 ml) over the crushed root of the plant, then leave for 20 minutes; take 1 tablespoon of the decoction before meals 5-6 times a day).
Blackberries (brew a small amount of plant branches (1 tablespoon per glass of water), boil for 5 minutes and leave; the resulting decoction should be strained and drunk in small portions within an hour).
Herbal collection (meadow clover, horsetail, oak bark (4-5 tablespoons each) - 3 tablespoons of the collection should be brewed in 1 liter of boiled water, stand and take 0.5 cups often, up to 7 times a day ).
Dill decoction with honey (the raw materials can be different: both dry and fresh herbs, or plant stems): 1 tbsp. l. raw materials (dill) pour 200 ml of boiling water, boil over low heat for 20 minutes. Then cool, add water to the original volume, add a tablespoon of natural honey. Drink 0.5 cups half an hour before meals.

In cases of poisoning, pharmaceutical tinctures of eleutherococcus and astragalus are also used, which help expel toxins from the body. For this purpose, you can try marine microalgae (in tablets or powder).

Prevention

It is best to try to prevent poisoning from poisonous mushrooms, since untimely treatment does not always give positive results, and in severe cases of intoxication, the victim may even die.

Prevention of poisoning includes compliance with the following rules:

Harvest only with experienced mushroom pickers.
Avoid gathering places near railway tracks, near gas, oil and chemical industries, along highways and within the city.
You should not try raw mushrooms.
It is not recommended to give them to children, elderly people, pregnant and nursing mothers.
You cannot buy products from random people, especially in prohibited trading places.
It is undesirable to consume mushrooms for people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or kidney function;
Strictly follow the cooking technology.

It must be remembered that poisonous mushrooms often grow alongside edible ones, and some of their species are similar in appearance. Do not consume them with alcohol, as this will cause delayed toxic syndrome. It is advisable to consume mushrooms in moderation as a side dish rather than as a main dish (especially on an empty stomach). Shelf life - no more than a day (even in the refrigerator)!

Before pickling, be sure to thoroughly soak or boil the mushrooms to remove bitterness and substances that irritate the gastric mucosa. Canned mushrooms cannot be stored for more than 1 year.

Forecast

Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms can have a different prognosis. It all depends on the type of mushroom, the severity of intoxication, the state of health, and the age of the victim. Children and the elderly suffer from poisoning the worst. Therefore, the consumption of mushrooms in any form is strictly contraindicated for them.

The prognosis is the most unfavorable for poisoning with toadstool: the mortality rate ranges from 50 to 100%. The patient's condition sharply worsens, hemorrhagic manifestations and hypoglycemia, a decrease in the prothrombin index are observed, which are extremely unfavorable prognostic signs. Late diagnosis and untimely treatment significantly aggravate the situation.

If the poisoning occurred due to eating other poisonous mushrooms, the results of treatment will be more favorable. A mild degree of intoxication will not lead to death, especially if the necessary measures are taken and therapy is carried out. The rehabilitation period can range from 2 to 4 weeks, and in more severe cases – up to several months. The main task is to restore the functioning of the liver and other organs using modern detoxification methods.

Contents of the article: classList.toggle()">toggle

Mushrooms have been a traditionally favorite product in Russia since time immemorial, without which not a single feast is complete, and for many they are on the table in the daily diet. However, with the beginning of the mushroom “hunting” season, the number of patients in toxicology and intensive care departments increases sharply, and, unfortunately, not all of them survive.

How to avoid mushroom poisoning, which of them and how much you can eat, and how to properly help someone who has been poisoned - this will be discussed in the article.

Types of poisonous mushrooms

The captivating smell and appetizing appearance often confuse an inexperienced mushroom picker, and he puts a poisonous mushroom in the basket. The fact is that most edible mushrooms have their own poisonous counterparts, which you need to be able to identify. The main representatives of such “couples”, common throughout the country, are:

Pale toadstool is its most dangerous variety and the most poisonous mushroom in the world; it contains the deadly toxins phalloidin and amanitin. Externally, the young mushroom can be confused with greenfinch (green russula), champignon.

What happens in the body during poisoning?

Toxins of poisonous mushrooms are quickly absorbed into the blood and act depending on their chemical composition. According to the characteristics of the action of these toxins, they are divided into 4 types of poisoning:

False honey mushrooms, russula, gall mushroom. The gastrointestinal tract is affected, including ulcerative defects and internal bleeding, the cardiovascular system - blood pressure drops, pulse quickens.
Stitches (raincoat) containing galvelic acid. Liver and brain cells are affected, red blood cells are destroyed (hemolysis).
Fly agarics containing muscarine and atropine-like toxins. They inhibit the sympathoadrenal system: the pupils constrict, the pulse weakens, the heart rate slows down, breathing is suppressed, saliva and sweat are released profusely, and hallucinations appear.
Pale toadstool, containing phalloidin, amantine. Liver cells are destroyed due to the inhibition of important cellular structures - ATP, DNA, enzymes, and acute liver failure develops. Glucose levels drop sharply, and the central nervous system suffers. Kidney cells are also damaged beyond repair. If the patient survives such poisoning, then he requires a kidney or liver transplant.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning

The clinical picture of mushroom poisoning consists of general symptoms characteristic of all types, and specific ones caused by the action of certain toxins. Common symptoms are:

Abdominal pain.
Nausea, vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Headache, dizziness.
Increased heart rate.
Lower blood pressure.
Coldness of the extremities due to impaired blood microcirculation.
General weakness.
Chills, increased body temperature.

Against the background of these symptoms, specific signs of mushroom poisoning also appear.

Signs of poisoning by toadstool

The first signs of poisoning by mushrooms such as toadstool appear after a few hours to a day: repeated vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea mixed with blood, severe thirst, severe pallor, decreased vision. Then there is an imaginary improvement within 24 hours, after which the condition sharply worsens, jaundice and swelling appear, blood pressure drops, breathing becomes difficult, coma develops and death occurs.

The fatal outcome from poisoning with toadstool is very high and reaches 90%.

Signs of fly agaric intoxication

Signs of poisoning with such mushrooms appear within 2-3 hours: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, pupils constrict, profuse sweat appears, drooling appears, shortness of breath, blood pressure drops, pulse becomes rare, consciousness is impaired, hallucinations appear. The condition is rarely severe, and the mortality rate does not exceed 5%.

Poisoning with false stitches (raincoat)

Symptoms appear after 8 hours: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, general weakness. On the 2nd day, yellowness of the skin appears, later depression of brain function develops - confusion. Poisonings are rarely severe, with a mortality rate of about 1%.

Intoxication with false honey mushrooms

Manifestations begin 1 hour after eating mushrooms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, general weakness, bloody diarrhea, drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate.

If a lot of toxin is ingested with mushrooms, brain function is impaired– disorientation, hallucinations, confusion. As a rule, these poisonings go away without a trace if help is provided and treatment is carried out.

First aid for poisoning

It is necessary to provide assistance when the very first signs are detected. The measures in this case are aimed at cleansing the gastrointestinal tract of toxic products, removing toxins and replenishing the water balance. To do this you need:

Rinse the patient's stomach with regular drinking water., you can use a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.
After rinsing to clean water, you need to give a double dose of any sorbent(activated carbon, enterosorb, polysorb, smecta).
Give plenty of fluids– chilled strong tea, still drinking water, a pharmacy rehydrating solution (glucosolan and analogues) is suitable.
Do a cleansing enema until the waters are clear.

An unconscious patient should be laid down, covered and the condition closely monitored - measure pulse, pressure, breathing rate, make sure that when vomiting, no substances enter the respiratory tract.

All procedures must be done in the period of time between calling an ambulance and its arrival without wasting a minute. The faster and better the first aid is provided, the better the body is cleansed of a toxic product, the greater the likelihood of a favorable outcome of poisoning.

When should you see a doctor?

In case of mushroom poisoning, seeking medical help is always necessary, and you cannot wait until the next day to make an appointment, even if the patient’s condition is not serious.

Some poisonings can be “masked” in the first day, and then suddenly manifest themselves with severe symptoms. Therefore, calling an ambulance is mandatory. If there are remains of a mushroom dish, it should be collected in a container and given to a doctor.

The patient is hospitalized in the toxicology department, in severe cases - in the intensive care unit, where intensive detoxification therapy is carried out, water-electrolyte and acid-base balance is normalized, antidotes and drugs are administered to normalize the functioning of the heart, blood pressure, respiration, and kidneys.

In cases of severe intoxication with liver and kidney failure, the patient is given hemodialysis to cleanse the blood. Constant monitoring of the basic functions of the body and laboratory control of blood and urine tests are carried out.

Restoring the body after poisoning

After being discharged at home during the recovery period, it is necessary to be observed by a doctor and take prescribed medications and vitamin preparations. To restore the damaged mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, a gentle diet, the use of enveloping agents, and herbal infusions are necessary.

The daily diet should include a sufficient amount of easily digestible protein and vitamins, you should limit animal fats, exclude coarse fiber (raw vegetables and fruits). You also need to give up spicy foods, seasonings, sauces, smoked foods, pickles, marinades, baked goods, confectionery, and citrus fruits. Eliminate foods that cause intestinal flatulence - whole milk, legumes. Fresh low-fat fermented milk products and cottage cheese are useful.

Dishes should be boiled, steamed or stewed, neither hot nor cold. The frequency of meals should be increased to 5-6 times a day, and its one-time volume reduced to 250-300 ml. The preferred drinks are weak green tea, chamomile and linden tea, mineral water, and non-acidic juices. Carbonated drinks and alcohol should not be consumed.

The duration of the recovery period is individual; it can range from 3 days to 1-2 months, depending on the severity of the poisoning.

Consequences of poisoning

The body is not able to neutralize fungal toxins, so delay in seeking medical help can lead to the development of serious consequences, such as:

Acute liver failure.
Acute renal failure.
Disturbance of heart function up to cardiac arrest.

Brain hypoxia with the development of edema and cerebral coma.
Respiratory failure.
Gastrointestinal bleeding.

In the long term after severe poisoning, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic renal failure, chronic gastritis, colitis, and peptic ulcer may develop.

Botulism: how to identify and what to do?

Botulism is severe food poisoning from mushrooms infected with the botulism bacillus, or more precisely, its toxin, which is much more dangerous than potassium cyanide. It is pickled mushrooms that are the most common cause of it, when the technology of preservation and storage of rolled up jars is violated.

Is it possible to visually determine the presence of botulinum toxin in a jar? There are no reliable signs. Only some types of botulism bacillus can cause gas formation and cloudiness of the brine, and the appearance of spots on mushrooms. In most cases, neither the appearance nor the taste of contaminated canned mushrooms changes. If in doubt, it is better to take the product to the nearest sanitary and epidemiological station, where an accurate analysis will be carried out in the laboratory.

If, after eating canned mushrooms for 8-36 hours, symptoms such as dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, double vision, decreased vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty breathing, muscle flaccidity appear - this indicates botulism. It is necessary to immediately call an ambulance, rinse the patient’s stomach and intestines, give enterosorbent and plenty of fluids. Treatment is carried out only in a hospital setting.

Prevention of mushroom poisoning: how to identify poisonous ones?

Is it possible to avoid mushroom poisoning? Of course, if you strictly follow the rules of collection and procurement:

Do not take questionable mushrooms.
Know the differences between edible mushrooms and their toxic counterparts.
Collect only in uncontaminated areas, away from roads and businesses.
Thoroughly clean and rinse the mushrooms.
Observe the temperature regime during preservation, the concentration of salt and vinegar.
Properly store workpieces(at a temperature not higher than +10° for no more than a year).
Do not consume the questionable product if it is expired, cloudy or bloated.

It is necessary to know the distinctive signs of poisonous mushrooms when collecting:

The presence of a thickening of the stem at the root and a ring on the stem under the cap.
Unpleasant pungent odor.
Color too bright.
Change in color of the pulp at the break (turns pink).
No damage, eaten away by insects and animals due to toxicity.

But even these signs do not give a 100% guarantee, so you need to go mushroom hunting in the company of an experienced mushroom picker.

We must not forget that mushroom poisoning is always much easier to prevent, in contrast to the consequences, which can be very serious and even tragic.