Seafood Allergy or Food Poisoning: Which Signs Require Immediate Hospital Care?

A person starts vomiting after eating seafood. Their companion says: “It’s probably just a stomachache.” But if that person also has:

• Hives.

• Swollen lips.

• Wheezing.

• Difficulty breathing.

then it is a completely different situation.

Food allergy

The FDA lists possible allergy symptoms including:

• Hives/rash.

• Itchy mouth.

• Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.

• Vomiting/diarrhea.

• Coughing, wheezing.

• Dizziness.

• Throat swelling.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Loss of consciousness.

Anaphylaxis is an emergency

Airway swelling, difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, or loss of consciousness can progress very quickly. If the patient has been prescribed an epinephrine/adrenaline auto-injector by a doctor, use it according to the instructed plan and seek emergency care immediately. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; do not delay it while waiting for an antihistamine to take effect.

In Vietnam, call 112 when emergency assistance is needed. Do not inject any medication yourself if it was not prescribed and you have not been instructed how to use it.

What about food poisoning/digestive upset?

The symptoms are usually more focused on:

• Abdominal pain.

• Diarrhea.

• Vomiting.

• Fever.

The initial goal is to prevent dehydration. If the person is conscious and able to drink, give them small sips of water/an appropriate rehydration solution. Do not force them to drink a large amount at once while they are vomiting.

5 signs the CDC recommends seeking medical care for

The CDC identifies the following signs of severe food poisoning:

• Bloody diarrhea.

• A fever above approximately 38.9°C.

• Vomiting so severe that fluids cannot be kept down.

• Signs of dehydration.

• Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days.

Concerning signs of dehydration

For example: Extreme thirst. Very dry mouth. Urinating less than usual. Dizziness. Young children and older adults may become dehydrated more quickly.

If the whole group becomes ill

Keep:

• The receipt.

• The name of the dish.

• The restaurant’s name.

• The time you ate.

• When the symptoms began.

This information is useful for healthcare facilities and regulatory authorities if a food safety investigation is needed.

Quick checklist

• Hives + difficulty breathing = do not wait.

• Throat/tongue swelling = emergency.

• Prescribed epinephrine auto-injector → use it according to the plan you were taught.

• Vomiting/diarrhea → watch for dehydration.

• Vomiting that prevents you from keeping down water → seek medical care.

• Bloody diarrhea → seek medical care.

• Keep the receipt if you suspect poisoning from a food service establishment.