Seafood poisoning: what to know

Seafood poisoning is a form of [Food Poisoning](/conditions/food-poisoning/) caused by germs, toxins, or contamination in seafood. Symptoms may begin soon after a meal or later, depending on the cause. One meal cannot always identify which food was responsible.

Common features include [Nausea](/symptoms/nausea/), [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/), loose stools, [Abdominal Pain](/symptoms/abdominal-pain/), and [Fever](/symptoms/fever/). Some seafood toxins can also cause unusual tingling, weakness, flushing, or trouble breathing, which require urgent attention.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. [Oral Rehydration Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/oral-rehydration-therapy/) replaces fluid and salts lost through vomiting or diarrhoea. Rest, eat light foods when able, and avoid alcohol and foods that worsen symptoms.

Wash your hands carefully and avoid preparing food for other people while you are unwell. Do not take leftover antibiotics or anti-diarrhoeal medicine without advice, because the right treatment depends on the cause and your health.

Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or repeated vomiting that prevents drinking. These signs can reflect an allergic reaction, toxin effect, or significant dehydration.

Contact a clinician if symptoms are worsening, you cannot keep fluids down, you are passing very little urine, or you have a condition that makes dehydration more hazardous. Severe dehydration may require [IV Fluid Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/iv-fluid-therapy/).

Tell your clinician what seafood you ate, when symptoms began, whether anyone else became ill, and whether you have fever, blood in stool, allergy symptoms, or reduced urination. Ask whether testing or treatment is needed.