Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Causes
The poisoning is caused by intake of ciguatoxin through contaminated fish.
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Definition
Ciguatera fish poisoning is a type of marine toxin disease connected with eating a contaminated fish. The poisonous component is ciguatoxin. The poison is produced in small quantities by specific algae and other algae-like organisms known as dinoflagellates. Larger fish that are contaminated with ciguatoxin can build up poison to a hazardous level that can make a person sick if ingested.
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Diagnosis
Since there's no irrefutable blood test for detecting ciguatoxin presence, diagnosis generally depends on clinical features and history.
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Symptoms and Signs
Ciguatera fish poisoning will show symptoms within two to twelve hours after ingestion. Signs will include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Shortly after the symptoms have developed, a person starts to experience strange sensations that can include headache, metallic taste in mouth, feeling that teeth loose, confusing cold and hot temperatures, and low heart rate and blood pressure.
Ciguatera Fish Poisoning Treatment
A person experiencing ciguatera fish poisoning must be treated with medications that will help stop the vomiting, as well as be given fluids by IV in order to replenish fluids lost through diarrhea and vomiting, and a medication known as Mannitol to aid in reducing neurological symptoms.