Radioimmunoassay can detect them in serum and urine. There are four stages in the poisoning. First, a latency period of 6 to 24 hours with no symptoms, then there is acute gastrointestinal upset with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, sometimes bloody, and low blood pressure. In the third stage, the patient seems better but poisoning of the kidney and liver, as shown by blood tests continues. Treatment is largely supportive and symptomatic.
Death occurs on days four through nine.
It is slow and painful. Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless identified as non-poisonous by a mushroom expert. Education campaigns are needed in areas where the Amanita mushrooms flourish. Poison control centers can provide expertise in the clinical management of mushroom poisoning and referral to hospitals equipped to handle the liver and kidney failure that may ensue. All rights reserved.