Hi David, I'm an expert in foodborne illness investigation.  I would need to
know how long after eating the food did the symptoms began [incubation
period] and what was the first symptom [in each instance]?  Was the onset
sudden or gradual?  How long did the symptoms last?  Then I could hazard a
guess for you. The symptoms do not sound like either type of shellfish
poisoning [PSP or NSP] to me. Bert Bartleson

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
David Kirsh
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] mussel allergy vs poisoning

A co-worker of mine says that she's allergic to mussels but has no problem
with clams. She told me that on two occasions she became ill after eating
mussels. The second occasion she had ordered paella but without mussels. Yet
apparently there was some trace of mussels in the mix.

Her symptoms were nausea/vomiting, headache and much dizziness.

I told her that I hadn't heard of such an allergy and I would expect her to
also be sensitive to clams (but perhaps not). I said it was more likely that
she experienced poisoning. Her response to me was, "But twice?"

Checking the FDA site, she lacked some of the symptoms of Paralytic
Shellfish Poisoning. Dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms are consistent
with Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, yet she didn't experience
numbness/tingling of the lips, tongue, throat.

I told her I would ask about her situation on the list-serv.

David Kirsh
Durham, NC



"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and
besides, the pig likes it." -- G.B. Shaw

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