Mushrooms bought from a street vendor could have cost him his health: a Mykolaiv region resident was hospitalized

Another case of mushroom poisoning has been recorded in Mykolaiv Oblast. The victim bought the mushrooms from an informal seller at an unregulated market. The person is currently in hospital and has received the necessary medical care. According to the information available, there is no longer any threat to their life. This was reported by the Mykolaiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. An epidemiological investigation found that the poisoning was caused by eating mushrooms purchased from unofficial vendors.

Experts urge residents of the region not to buy mushrooms from random sellers. A safer choice is commercially cultivated mushrooms sold at official retailers. However, the danger is not limited to where the mushrooms are purchased. Wild mushrooms can accumulate harmful substances, including heavy metals, so they should not be gathered:

• along roads and railway tracks;
• near industrial facilities;
• in contaminated areas.

In addition, even familiar edible mushrooms can be mistaken for poisonous ones. Do not gather specimens that are too young, old, or damaged. If you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to leave it where it is.

The first signs of poisoning may not appear immediately after eating mushrooms. Sometimes symptoms develop several hours or even days later.

The main symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting;
• abdominal pain and diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• fever.

In severe cases, confusion, difficulty breathing, and seizures may occur.

If symptoms of poisoning appear after eating mushrooms, call an ambulance immediately at 103. Do not try to treat yourself or wait for your condition to improve. If you have any leftover mushrooms or a prepared dish, do not throw them away before consulting medical professionals: they may help experts identify the cause of the poisoning and determine the course of treatment. Experts emphasize that avoiding questionable mushrooms and products from unofficial vendors can help prevent serious health consequences. We previously reported:

• Woman hospitalized after eating wild mushrooms in Mykolaiv Oblast
• Woman hospitalized in serious condition after eating mushrooms in Mykolaiv Oblast
• Wild mushroom poisoning cases rise in Mykolaiv Oblast: how to stay safe
• Three cases of wild mushroom poisoning recorded in Mykolaiv Oblast since the beginning of the year