In Which Region of Armenia Do Most Mushroom Poisonings Occur?

The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that this year there have been 16 cases of mushroom poisoning in the Republic of Armenia, affecting 27 individuals. The majority of these cases have been registered in the Lori region.

Mushroom poisonings mainly occur due to the inability to differentiate mushrooms or improper preparation methods, resulting in poisoning, which can lead to death. Certain types of mushrooms can only be consumed after proper culinary processing. Poisonous mushrooms should never be consumed, as they contain toxins that are not eliminated through culinary or production processes (cooking, drying, freezing, pickling, etc.).

To avoid mushroom poisoning, it is recommended to:

• Not consume mushrooms of unknown origin,
• Avoid collecting mushrooms from the sides of roads,
• Not rely solely on pictures to differentiate between edible and poisonous mushrooms, as toxic mushrooms often grow near edible ones and can look very similar,
• Not eat raw mushrooms,
• Not feed mushrooms to children,
• People with gastrointestinal issues should not consume mushrooms,
• Avoid consuming alcohol with mushrooms,
• Do not store fresh mushrooms for more than one day, even under refrigeration,
• Not engage in self-medication.

Mushroom poisoning has an acute course, with the first symptoms appearing within 15 minutes to 72 hours. The primary clinical symptoms include sharp abdominal pain, nausea, persistent vomiting, profuse sweating, salivation, dizziness, headache, insatiable thirst, hallucinations without drowsiness, delirium, loss of consciousness, facial redness, palpitations, feelings of fear, and, due to liver damage, an enlarged and painful liver, jaundice, liver coma, and kidney impairment. Upon the onset of the first symptoms, immediate medical attention is essential.