| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Poisoning from eating shellfish which have eaten a poisonous dinoflagellate (a single-celled algae found mainly in the ocean). |
| Alternative Names | |
| Poisonous Ingredient | A neurotoxin (affects the nervous system) found in the dinoflagellate. |
| Where Found | mussels clams oysters scallops From June through October, shellfish are more likely to eat poisonous dinoflagellate. Note: This list may not be all inclusive. |
| Symptoms | body as a whole numbness or tingling around the mouth, lips, tongue, and facemuscle weaknessparalysis of the legs and/or arms lightheadedness headache respiratorystop breathing gastrointestinal nauseavomitingabdominal cramps diarrhea |
| Home Treatment | Call Poison Control for appropriate treatment information. |
| Before Calling Emergency | 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 |
| Poison Control, or a local emergency number | 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. |
| What to expect at the emergency room | 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. |
| Expectations (prognosis) | 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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