Diagnosis

There are no tests currently available to test for these marine and freshwater toxins in humans. Therefore, the only way to definitively diagnose the marine and freshwater toxin diseases is by laboratory testing of the contaminated seafood or water/aerosol.

Thus, the marine and freshwater toxin diseases are usually diagnosed because they fit a particular clinical profile of exposure, timing of symptoms from exposure, and type of symptoms.

However, since it is not possible currently to diagnose the marine and freshwater diseases without testing the seafood or the water/aerosol, it is important to consider other diagnoses, particularly if there is no improvement over time (weeks to months).

The Acute Differential Diagnosis includes:

Scombroid Fish Poisoning
Acute Allergic Reaction (including Anaphylaxis)
Bacterial, Viral, Parasitic Food Poisoning
Viral or Bacterial Meningitis
Encephalitis
Chemical Food, Water or Air Poisoning
Organophosphate/Carbamate Pesticides

The Chronic Differential Diagnosis includes:

Chemical Food, Water or Air Poisoning
Organophosphate/Carbamate Pesticides
Multiple Sclerosis
Psychiatric disease
Chronic Meningitis
Chronic Hepatitis
Chronic Respiratory Diseases such as COPD, Bronchitis, Asthma

Click here to view the Toxin Table for more information.