Ciguatera (not viral, but a Toxin from algae infecting fish) - Medtick
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Ciguatera (not viral, but a Toxin from algae infecting fish)

What is it?

Ciguatera is food poisoning you get from eating fish contaminated with ciguatoxin. Ciguatoxin is a toxin made by an algae that’s common in tropical and subtropical fishing waters.

For more information please read:

Cleveland Clinic

If one has this condition, it is a Medical Emergency

Common fish (concentrations of  ciguatoxin, are especially high in the fish’s head, intestines, liver and eggs) include:

  • Large reef fish
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda
  • Grouper
  • Moray eel
  • Parrot fish
  • Red snapper
  • Sea bass
  • Spanish mackerel
  • Sturgeon
  • Surgeonfish

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

Further advice

Some foods cause people who’ve recovered from ciguatera to experience symptoms all over again. So, your provider will advise you to avoid these foods as part of your treatment.

For at least the next six months, you’ll need to avoid:

  • Alcohol (which can also increase your risk of experiencing symptoms affecting your heart).
  • Fish (even uncontaminated fish).
  • Nuts.
  • Seeds.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

For most people, symptoms last a few days or weeks. In some cases, though, symptoms continue for months or (rarely) years. Symptoms affecting your nervous system are usually the ones that tend to last longest.

Prevention

Can ciguatera fish poisoning be prevented?

The only way to prevent ciguatera is to avoid eating contaminated fish. The trouble is, outside of lab testing, there’s no way to know if a specific fish contains the toxin.

You can reduce your risk by steering clear of the reef fish most likely to contain ciguatera. And if you do eat these fish, definitely avoid consuming the parts that contain the highest concentrations of the toxin, including the head, intestines, liver and eggs.

Cleveland Clinic

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Ciguatera (not viral, but a Toxin from algae infecting fish) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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