Shellfish

Shellfish poisoning may be a medical emergency. With sudden or significant symptoms, the person should be taken immediately to an emergency medical facility. You may need to call the local emergency number (such as 911). Otherwise, call Poison Control for appropriate treatment information.

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

If the situation is not clear, they will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital.

Bring the contaminated shellfish with you to the emergency room if so instructed.

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

• Use gastric lavage.
• Give a cathartic (a bowel evacuator).
• Activated charcoal.
• Open and maintain an airway if needed.
• Treat the symptoms.

Survival past 12 hours usually indicates recovery is likely.

Only a small percentage of people actually die from eating contaminated shellfish.

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