Eating mushrooms growing on cicada pupae thinking it was cordyceps, critically poisoned

A man in Gia Lai picked mushrooms growing on cicada pupae to eat because he thought they were rare cordyceps and was critically poisoned.

Patient Rlan H. is being treated according to anti-poisoning regimen at Gia Lai Provincial General Hospital after eating mushrooms growing on cicada pupae - Photo: BV

On May 18, Dr. Nguyen Dang Bao, director of Gia Lai General Hospital, said the hospital had just successfully treated a case of critical poisoning caused by eating mushrooms growing on cicada pupae.

The patient who was saved was Mr. Rlan H. (32 years old), residing in Ia Dok commune, Duc Co district, Gia Lai.

Through medical history, on May 16, Mr. H. visited his family's farm and discovered some strange mushrooms growing on cicada pupae.

Thinking the strange mushroom was a rare cordyceps, Mr. H. picked it and brought it home to stir-fry and eat for dinner.

Late at night, the patient showed signs of poisoning such as vomiting and diarrhea, so his family took him to Duc Co District Medical Center for emergency treatment.

Image of the mushroom growing on the cicada pupa that Mr. Rlan H. ate - Photo: BV

Here, the patient's condition continued to progress with more severe symptoms such as lethargy, lack of contact, eye twitching, and muscle tremors in the arms and legs, so he was transferred to Gia Lai Provincial General Hospital.

The doctor determined that the patient had water and electrolyte imbalance and kidney failure due to poisoning from mushrooms growing on cicada pupae.

After initial first aid, the patient was transferred to the intensive care and anti-poisoning department for monitoring and treatment.

The patient is now conscious, slow to respond, vital signs are stable, liver and kidney function are within normal limits and no longer has seizures. Mr. H. is being treated with non-specific detoxification and monitored.

Doctor Nguyen Dang Bao said similar poisoning cases at the hospital are very rare. When encountering this poisoning situation, the hospital will treat according to the anti-poisoning protocol and monitor and treat the symptoms.

FORCE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/an-nam-moc-tren-nhong-ve-sau-vi-nghi-la-dong-trung-ha-thao-bi-ngo-doc-nguy-kich-20250518174846638.htm