The pattern of symptoms following ingestion of a poisonous mushroom may help identify the species of mushroom involved.
Symptoms Appearing Within 2 Hours of Ingestion
Symptoms |
Species |
primary signs nausea, vomiting or diarrhea |
simple gastroenteric irritants |
primary signs profuse sweating, nausea, colic |
Inocybe or Clitocybe species |
primary signs delirium or hallucinations, associated with sleep or coma |
Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina |
primary signs delirium or hallucinations, not associated with sleep or coma |
Psilocybe, Panaeolus, or Copelandia species |
Symptoms Appearing More Than 2 Hours of Ingestion
Symptoms |
Species |
onset of symptoms immediately after alcohol ingestion |
Coprinus atramentarius |
primary signs 6 or more hours after ingestion, with fatigue, headache and nausea |
Gyromitra esculenta |
primary signs 12 hours after ingestion, with severe emesis and diarrhea |
Amanita phalloides type |
primary signs 3 or more days after ingestion, with intense thirst and polyuria |
Cortinarius species |
Limitations:
• The analysis may overlook an exposure in a mixed ingestion.
Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care