Someone finishes eating seafood and starts vomiting. Their companion says: “It’s probably just a stomach ache.” But if that person also develops:
-
Hives.
-
Swollen lips.
-
Wheezing.
-
Difficulty breathing.
then it is a completely different story.
Food allergy
The FDA lists allergic symptoms that may include:
-
Hives/rash.
-
Itching in the mouth.
-
Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
-
Vomiting/diarrhea.
-
Coughing, wheezing.
-
Dizziness.
-
Swelling of the throat.
-
Difficulty breathing.
-
Loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis is an emergency
Airway swelling, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness can progress very rapidly. If the patient has been prescribed an epinephrine/adrenaline auto-injector by a doctor, use it according to the instructed plan and seek emergency medical care immediately. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; do not delay waiting for antihistamines to take effect.
In Vietnam, call 112 when emergency assistance is needed. Do not inject medication yourself if it is not prescribed to you and you have not been trained to use it.
What about food poisoning / digestive upset?
Symptoms typically tend to involve:
-
Abdominal pain.
-
Diarrhea.
-
Vomiting.
-
Fever.
The initial goal is to prevent dehydration. If the patient is alert and able to drink, give small sips of water or an appropriate oral rehydration solution. Do not force them to drink a lot at once while they are vomiting.
5 signs the CDC recommends seeing a doctor for
The CDC notes signs of severe food poisoning, including:
-
Bloody diarrhea.
-
Fever over approximately 38.9°C.
-
Vomiting so much that you cannot keep liquids down.
-
Signs of dehydration.
-
Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days.
Worrying signs of dehydration
For example: Extreme thirst. Very dry mouth. Infrequent urination. Dizziness. Young children and the elderly can become dehydrated faster.
If the whole group gets sick
Keep:
-
Receipts.
-
Dish names.
-
Restaurant name.
-
Meal time.
-
Onset time of symptoms.
This information is helpful for healthcare facilities and regulatory authorities if a food safety investigation is needed.
Quick checklist
-
Hives + difficulty breathing = do not wait.
-
Swelling of throat/tongue = emergency.
-
Prescribed epinephrine auto-injector available → use according to the trained plan.
-
Vomiting/diarrhea → watch for dehydration.
-
Vomiting and cannot keep fluids down → see a doctor.
-
Bloody diarrhea → see a doctor.
-
Save receipts if poisoning from an eatery is suspected.
