DURING the rainy season, various types of mushrooms often grow in forests and areas around trees, so the Ministry of Health has issued an advisory to consumers to avoid mush­room poisoning.

Among naturally grown mushrooms, some are safe, but some are so poisonous that they can cause severe poisoning and even death, the Department of Public Health has warned.

The appearances of poi­sonous mushrooms include a sack-like base, a ring on the stem, sparse scales, white gills, bright colours on the cap, and the release of green spores.

Ingestion of toxic mush­rooms can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diar­rhoea within 20 minutes to four hours of eating, and even death in severe cases. Moreover, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, resulting in confusion, hyperactivity, and depression.

With symptoms and se­verity depending on the type of mushroom, the amount of toxins (for instance: Cyclopep­tides, Gyromitrin, Orellanine, and Muscarine among others), age, and personal immune sys­tem, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are more likely to experience severe poisoning.

If consumers experience poisonous symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and be taken to the nearest hospital for treat­ment. The best prevention is to avoid eating unfamiliar, suspicious, poisonous and nev­er-eaten mushrooms, it said. — Htun Htun/ZN