Follow-Up on a Mushroom Poisoning from Last Season

One case in particular was quite outstanding in that the two people involved had consumed a very large quantity of Amanita phalloides, the death cap. In most instances with such a large dose, death or the need for extreme medical intervention such as a liver transplant is the result. In this case, however, transplant was not required, both people survived and recovery was complete. But there was more to the story.

I was curious to see if there had been any lingering problems with liver function or other possible consequences of the poisoning. I called one of the two people involved, and asked him about how his health had been over the past year. His amazing story (told to the attendees at last year’s fungus fair) continues. Neither he nor his friend has had any adverse health issues to date. But there were adverse consequences, but more bureaucratic and financial in nature.

Their insurer has balked at covering the $9,800 Life Flight helicopter transport to Stanford Medical Center. They were charged the usual deductible plus shared cost of the expenses. Nothing unusual there, but because the stay started in late December 2002 and extended into January 2003, there was a second deductible and shared cost because of a new policy year. Outside of the original ordeal, these problems have actually caused him much more grief than the poisoning itself.

What’s the take home here? Be really sure about the identity of the mushrooms you eat! Get ID assistance if you have any doubt. You could die, or in the best case (see above) spend a couple of weeks in the hospital and in excess of $10,000 a pound for mushrooms that we hear didn’t even taste very good!

--Phil Carpenter, Hotline