Veterinarians are warning against invasive, toxic cane toads this rainy season FOX 13 Tampa Bay

It secretes a powerful toxin called bufotoxin, which can cause serious harm if ingested or if it comes into contact with mucous membranes. In conclusion, the Colorado River toad is a unique amphibian with fascinating habitat and behavior. To help protect the Colorado River toad, it is crucial to avoid disturbing its natural habitats. Although the Colorado River toad may seem abundant due to its presence in certain regions, it is essential to understand the importance of conserving their population. This defense mechanism is referred to as “toadflation” and serves as a warning to predators that it is not an easy meal. One interesting behavior of the Colorado River toad is its ability to inflate itself when threatened.

  • These glands are responsible for secreting a toxic substance when the toad feels threatened.
  • If someone suspects they or someone they know has ingested a cane toad, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
  • While influenza activity in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region overall increased in October with A(H3N2) viruses predominant, there were variations by zone.
  • She said, “It depends on how much toxin they take it and it depends on the size of the patient. It’s hard to say because we don’t know that it’s cane toad toxicity.”
  • Contact with the toad’s skin may lead to redness, itchiness, and inflammation.
  • However, dogs with severe symptoms may need drugs to control the heart rate, stop seizures, and relax the muscles.
  • Are there any visual cues that can help me identify a poisonous toad?

The majority of patients (70.55%) with toad toxin poisoning recovered with a hospital stay ranging from 1 to 15 days, averaging around 5 days. Toad toxin is characterized by a rapid onset of toxic effects, emphasizing the need for immediate medical intervention upon exposure. This sequence underscores the widespread impact of toad toxin across multiple body systems, with vomiting and severe effects on the respiratory and circulatory systems being particularly prominent. The latency period for toad toxin effects ranged from 30 min to 1 h, with the vast majority (95.5%) of cases manifesting symptoms within 5 h.

The toxins present in the Colorado River toad can also affect the cardiovascular system. The toxins found in the toad’s parotid glands, located behind its eyes, contain a compound called 5-MeO-DMT, which is a powerful hallucinogenic substance. One of the most notorious effects of Colorado River toad poisoning is hallucinations. It is advisable to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the toad to prevent any accidental exposure to these toxins. Prompt medical attention should be sought in the event of accidental exposure or poisoning to ensure quick and appropriate treatment.

  • Can toad toxins be used for medical purposes?
  • The asymptomatic incubation period, or latent phase, typically lasts six to ten hours after ingestion of death cap.
  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect these toads and their habitats, and education and awareness are key to ensuring their survival in the wild.
  • While common symptoms of long COVID can include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction over 200 different symptoms have been reported that can have an impact on everyday functioning.
  • The increases in influenza have predominantly been driven by the expansion of A(H3N2) subclade K, which represents 89% of sequences submitted to GISAID from the Western Pacific Region (as of 21 November 2025).
  • The mortality rate among these patients is higher, likely exacerbated by pre-existing health conditions that can weaken immune responses and compromise physiological stability, particularly in those with cancer or other severe illnesses.

Given the toxin’s propensity to cause severe cardiac conduction disturbances, careful monitoring and adjustment of treatments are crucial. Given the recognized medicinal value of toads and the variety of derived preparations, individuals are exposed to toad toxins through multiple routes. This study compiles cases of toad toxin poisoning from literature over recent decades for a retrospective analysis, summarizing symptomatology, treatment strategies, and prognosis factors, to improve clinical management outcomes. We advocate for further research into the cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects of toad toxin to deepen our understanding of its poisoning mechanisms and pharmacological profile. This paper comprehensively reviews the principal features of toad toxin poisoning, encompassing clinical symptoms, therapeutic approaches, and other relevant factors to aid in the diagnosis and management, as well as the forensic evaluation of lethal cases. While the clinical signs of toad poisoning in cats can be similar to those in dogs, cats may also exhibit other symptoms like increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, or dilated pupils.

Can Colorado River toads kill humans? Some people have been known to “milk” the toads for their secretions and then dry and smoke the resulting substance in order to experience hallucinogenic effects. Despite their toxicity, Colorado River toads have gained popularity in certain circles for their psychoactive properties.

Influenza patients should be managed properly to prevent severe illness and death. These will be distributed to countries based on public health risk and need. Inform your healthcare provider of any exposure to sick or dead animals.

Cane toads, which produce venomous secretions, are also a source of concern. Many native animals, such as snakes and birds, have died from ingesting cane toad venom. Cane toads are an invasive species in many parts of the world, including Australia, where they were introduced to control agricultural pests. When ingested, smoked toad venom can cause a range of symptoms and manifestations. The venom gland of the cane toad contains large quantities of cardiac glycosides, making it potentially dangerous for human consumption.

Toad venom acts on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, enhancing peristalsis and thereby inducing nausea and vomiting. This can elicit echo house sober living a range of acute subjective reactions including distortions in visual, auditory, and temporal perception, intense emotional experiences, and memory impairments37–39. Additionally, more than ten types of indole alkaloids have been identified, including notable substances such as bufotenidine, 5-Methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and bufotenine30–34. Additionally, hemorrhagic episodes beneath the pericardium, likely due to increased vascular permeability triggered by acute circulatory failure induced by the toxin, were observed. Clinical symptoms such as nausea, emesis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, sweating, and numbness did not directly cause fatalities. The majority of these fatalities (56.75%) occurred in individuals either over 60 or under 15 years of age, with males comprising 66.66% of the deaths.

Toad Poisoning: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

Complicating matters further, several patients consumed products derived from toad toxins, not the toads themselves, which obscures the exact toxic dosage received. In conclusion, recognizing and diagnosing toad poisoning requires a thorough evaluation of clinical signs, toxin identification, and supportive care. It is crucial for veterinarians to be able to recognize and properly diagnose toad poisoning in order to provide appropriate treatment and care. The clinical signs of toad poisoning can vary depending on the type and amount of toxins involved, as well as the species and size of the animal affected. Toad poisoning, also known as bufotoxin poisoning, occurs when a dog or cat comes into contact with a toad and ingests or absorbs the toxins secreted by the toad’s skin glands.

In large concentrations, inhaling chloramine can lead to death. Household cleaners should also never be mixed, as they can create toxic gases. Serious complications such as brain, lung, and heart damage, and even death can occur. This prevents oxygen from getting to tissues and cells, which can lead to serious tissue damage, even death. If you inhale too much CO into your lungs, a dangerous condition known as carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.

How To Know If A Toad Is Poisonous

Educate children about the potential dangers of cane toads and encourage them to avoid touching or playing with them. Furthermore, it is important to keep children and pets away from areas where cane toads are present. Firstly, it is crucial to avoid touching or handling cane toads without protective gear. Teaching children about the potential dangers of cane toads and how to avoid contact is important. Children and small animals may be curious and try to play or interact with these toads, putting themselves at risk of exposure to their toxic secretions.

Are cane toads harmful to humans, pets? Your questions answered

Psychological treatments can teach new ways of thinking, coping or relating to others. They can be combined with antidepressant drug causing foaming at mouth medications in moderate and severe depression. Psychological treatments are the first treatments for depression. These include psychological treatment and medications. There are effective treatments for depression.

Poisonous Mushrooms

In some countries, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, the onset of the typical seasonal influenza activity period started earlier than in previous years. A majority of influenza detections from sentinel and non-sentinel primary care and hospital surveillance systems were A(H3N2) viruses. As of 21 November 2025, reported rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) in primary care were at baseline levels for most countries and areas of the WHO European Region. WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030 highlights the steps required to provide appropriate interventions for people with mental disorders including depression.

The toxin can be absorbed through the skin and cause irritation, rashes, and inflammation. Children and pets are particularly vulnerable as they may mistake the toads for toys or food. This toxin, known as bufotoxin, contains several chemicals, including bufotenine and bufagin. They were introduced to various countries, including Australia, to control pests in sugarcane fields. Cane toads (Rhinella marina), also known as Bufo toads, are invasive species native to Central and South America.

WHO’s Science in 5: Older adults and COVID-19 vaccines – 14 October 2022

However, this practice can be harmful to the toads and is not recommended. However, the ethical implications of using these toads for such purposes are a topic of debate. Colorado River toads have been used in traditional medicine and spiritual practices by some indigenous cultures for their psychoactive does alcohol affect the gallbladder properties. Are Colorado River toads used in traditional medicine?

While cane toad poisoning is rare, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if ingestion occurs. If ingested by humans, the toxin can cause a range of symptoms, from nausea and vomiting to more severe effects such as seizures and death. In conclusion, cane toads are highly poisonous amphibians that secrete a potent toxin called bufotoxin. Additionally, pet owners should be cautious and prevent their pets from coming into contact with cane toads, as they too are susceptible to poisoning. The toxins secreted by these invasive species can cause severe symptoms when ingested, come into direct contact with the skin, or inhaled. Certain populations, such as children, pets, and individuals with underlying health conditions, may be more susceptible to the effects of cane toad toxins.

In severe cases of CO poisoning, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be used. Depending on the type of poisoning you have, treatments will vary. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

Introduction to Toad Poisoning and its Clinical Signs

Contact with the toad’s skin may lead to redness, itchiness, and inflammation. Therefore, it is vital to exercise extreme caution and avoid any direct or indirect contact with these toads. If you suspect that your pet has encountered a Colorado River toad or any other poisonous toad, it is crucial to seek veterinary care immediately. Dogs, in particular, are curious creatures that may try to investigate or play with a toad, leading to potential exposure to its toxic secretions. Furthermore, it is essential to keep pets away from these toads as well.

It is important not to attempt to catch or “dispose” of the toad oneself, as this can lead to accidental exposure to the toxic secretions. These experts can safely remove the toad without putting anyone at risk. If one encounters a cane toad in their home, it is advisable to contact local wildlife authorities or pest control professionals. This can be achieved by removing potential hiding spots, such as piles of debris or logs, which can provide shelter for toads.

Alcohol and Other Substance Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among High School Students Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021 MMWR

Percentages in each category are calculated on the known what effects does molly mdma have on the brain data.† Previous 30 days before the survey.§ Statistically significant results (p¶ Significantly different from male students in 2021, on the basis of t-test analysis with Taylor series linearization (p These missing data could have resulted in overestimation or underestimation of prevalence. Second, substantial data were missing for certain substance use variables (e.g., prescription opioid misuse), which might be because of the order of the survey questions or other factors related to survey administration (2).

Although our survey did not assess the reasons for changes in drinking from pre-pandemic levels, our results indicated that changes in drinking behavior corresponded with changes in HRQOL. Our 2020–2021 survey of a US population-representative sample of 3,125 adults suggests that the mean health-related quality of life of the US adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic was substantially lower than it was in the past decade, currently at 0.72 compared with 0.79 in 2012–2013 and 0.80 in 2010–2015, all on the SF-6D scale (a difference of 0.03 to 0.04 is generally considered meaningful on this scale15, 16). Approximately one-third of respondents reported the overall impact of the pandemic on their lives as extreme/quite a bit (36.04%), moderate (31.53%), or little/none (32.43%). We conducted a survey of over 3,000 adults in the US during the middle of the pandemic to understand drinking and quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated changes in drinking that may be positive or negative depending on who is affected and how. Alcohol intolerance and long covid risks

Publication types

In a recent study, Suchomel et al. have shown that the bactericidal efficacy of an isopropanol-based hand rub was decreased by glycerol, but not by a novel humectant, made of ethylhexylglycerin, dexpanthenol and a fatty alcohol. An adequate training on hand hygiene and sanitisation amid infection control within health care facilities, is, therefore, a key to ensure that a correct dose and technique are always used. This can, therefore, directly influence healthcare professionals’ perception of the sufficient rubbing time (Kenters et al., 2020).

During this time, it’s important to acknowledge and understand these challenges that you may face in order to avoid using alcohol to self-medicate, potentially increasing certain COVID-19 related risks. These cases provide the first evidence of previously undetected circulation of this virus strain within this at-risk population, in which only clade IIb had been reported since 2022, and across different regions. The choice will depend on the severity of disease and the risk of disease worsening (including the person’s age and whether they have any health problems). It is also important to be vigilant in recognizing people with severe disease and those needing hospital treatment so that they are treated early.

But, other people may find that alcohol has become a habit for them—and breaking habits can be hard without help. As things slowly return to normal, some people may find themselves relying less on alcohol. Even though it is not the healthiest choice, quarantine drinking may be a coping mechanism. Many people have started craving alcohol more during COVID-19 because they have found all of their usual routines disrupted. As with the rest of our lives, COVID-19 has changed the way people access support for alcohol misuse. In particular, women increased their heavy drinking days by an average of 41 percent, worsening a pre-existing upward trend in drinking among women.

  • A remarkable increase in the viscosity was observed from pure water (G’ 432 Pa) to a mixture containing 30% ethanol (G’1186 Pa), followed by a drop (G’ 671 Pa) at 40% ethanol which may be attributed to the poor solubility of CMC in higher alcoholic media (Brown et al., 1998).
  • With increasing trends in alcohol consumption, the prevalence of ALD was also increasing prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Once most of the restrictions in some countries and measures (including lockdowns) had been implemented by governments in March–April 2020 in order to try and slow/stop the spread of contagion (Blavatnik School of Government, 2020), a temporary boom in off-premise alcohol sales was documented in a number of countries.
  • Comparing the thickening agents used in the formulation of hand rubs, it is evident that most of the products are made viscous by the use of carbomer and an amine-based neutralising agent (i.e. aminomethyl propanol or triethanolamine).
  • Research conducted prior to the pandemic has shown an association between alcohol consumption and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), with highest HRQOL among low-level drinkers (higher than non-drinkers/abstinence) and decreasing HRQOL as consumption increases .
  • The four current substance use behaviors were alcohol use, marijuana use, binge drinking, and prescription opioid misuse.
  • Whether observed changes in alcohol consumption during the pandemic have impacted alcohol-related outcomes is as yet unknown.

Neurological Effects

Among individuals at risk of developing ALD, racial and ethnic minority groups tend to have higher severity and worse overall outcomes, likely due to various inequities in social environments, treatment opportunities, and the criminal justice system . Pre-transplant patients with end-stage liver disease appear to have markedly worse outcomes after COVID-19 infection, though vaccination has certainly improved these outcomes . Although some of these changes reflect a changing landscape in LT for AH/ALD , epidemiological data on disease burden, hospitalizations, and mortality suggest changing criteria isn’t the only underlying factor behind this trend. These delays in care may have impacted disease trajectory and the ability to intervene earlier in the course of AUD and ALD.

Does Long COVID Lead To Alcohol Intolerance?

For example, the Monitoring the Future survey indicated declines in current marijuana use, alcohol use, and binge drinking when comparing 2020 and 2021 prevalence estimates (1). One third of students participating in ABES who had ever drunk alcohol or used drugs used those substances more during the pandemic (6). In addition, alcohol-related deaths, including those involving other substances, have increased among adolescents (5). Adolescence is a critical phase of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development and is frequently a period of initiating and engaging in risky behaviors, including alcohol and other substance use. To examine substance use patterns and understand how substance use among high school students changed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC analyzed data from the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

  • Health factors are known to diminish HRQOL , so if they also instigated changes in drinking there may be confounding in our results.
  • The decline in adolescent substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic is consistent with other studies of U.S. adolescents, including from the Monitoring the Future study, which also reported significant decreases in lifetime and past 30-day marijuana use, binge drinking, and lifetime cocaine and heroin use in 2021 (1).
  • In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to treatsecondary bacterial infections, which can be a complication of COVID-19 inseverely ill patients.
  • Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, over 2 million people in the European Region have died from the disease.
  • This report explores the multifaceted nexus between health and tourism within the WHO European Region, emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism…

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

One example is to reduce the number and concentration of places that sell alcohol. Interventions that promote a positive school climate and increase students’ feelings of connectedness to the school and decrease student dissatisfaction, in conjunction with effective health education, can improve substance use outcomes (15). Consequently, it is possible that as social interactions resume, access to substances could increase, supervision might decrease, and adolescent substance use could revert to prepandemic levels (1). Inhalant use increased, a finding consistent with other research, and might also be the result of access.

Can you drink alcohol after the COVID vaccine?

This means avoiding, or at the very least minimizing, alcohol consumption when you have an active infection. On the other hand, is drinking alcohol bad when you have COVID? Some countries adopted a “better safe than sorry” approach to alcohol and the COVID famous fetal alcohol syndrome vaccine, recommending not drinking immediately before and after getting a shot. Pandemic drinking will likely continue to have real consequences for people’s physical and mental health. (Prior to the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths typically increased by about 2.2% each year.)

Cutting Back After COVID Era Drinking

Despite some news headlines suggesting that alcohol affects the COVID-19 vaccine, experts do not advise people to avoid it. All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. There is no official advice to avoid drinking alcohol before or after the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased loneliness, isolation, stress, and other common risk factors for alcohol abuse have led some to heavy drinking as a form of self-medication. At this point in time, it is unclear whether the virus itself reduces your tolerance for alcohol. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some reports of lingering effects of COVID-19 on alcohol tolerance and drinking habits.

Although this study was small, it reported excellent adherence to treatment and high rates of alcohol abstinence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, one web-based therapy program was effective in treating patients with AUD and ALD . In a Cochrane review, digital interventions were shown to be helpful in reducing harmful alcohol consumption . Several aspects of AUD and ALD care can be targeted in the context of the pandemic and its aftermath in order to reduce disease burden and improve disease-related outcomes.

However, the disease can be more severe, especially in young children, pregnant women and individuals who are immunocompromized. However, several strains of mpox now circulate sustainably in human populations in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and in certain high-risk groups in many parts of the nifaliophobia world. Mpox was first identified in 1958 in Denmark, when an outbreak of a pox-like disease broke out in a colony of macaques being kept for research. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae, which includes variola, cowpox, vaccinia and other viruses.

For individuals who have developed alcohol intolerance following a COVID-19 infection, the symptoms can be quite noticeable and sometimes alarming. There are no official recommendations to avoid alcohol before or after a COVID-19 vaccine or booster. The review suggests that alcohol may activate ACE2 receptors, which act as the receptor for the COVID-19 virus, and enhance the harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. A 2023 review aimed to explore alcohol’s effects on the COVID-19 vaccine by looking at the available research. However, it is important to note that chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol can weaken the immune system, and may possibly lower the effectiveness of vaccination. However, there is no conclusive evidence of an interaction between alcohol and the vaccine.

Adolescence is a critical phase of development and is frequently a period of initiating and engaging in risky behaviors, including alcohol and other substance use. All of these effects of alcohol misuse could certainly complicate COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and recovery. In response to the health, habits and market patterns extreme changes brought about by the current CoViD-19 outbreak, we review here the current knowledge and trends on the formulation of hand rubs. 1 Cost comparison are made by referring to Sigma-Aldrich database or to the catalogue of ACEF Spa, an Italian raw material distributor for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, galenic products and nutraceuticals.

This table compares data from different sources, with different information gathering methodologies, and measures different reported time frames Nevertheless, a general tendency toward a growth in consumption in each country is revealed by comparing the same timeframes analyzed in each country in 2019 and 2020. Predicting the future is thus an especially important issue for the drinks industry given the increased uncertainty when it comes to factors affecting alcohol consumption. This includes everything from changes in individual consumption habits, sales and distribution channels, socializing, drinking preferences, as well as the consumers’ perspectives on future patterns of alcohol consumption, all have been significantly affected by the emergence of COVID 19. However, across countries, on average 1 in 4 individuals reported an increase in alcohol consumption (26%), in particular during the COVID-19 lockdown periods.

Each survey year, CDC collects data from a nationally representative sample of public and private school students in grades 9–12 in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Specifically, this report examined overall trends in alcohol and other substance use, characterized changes in alcohol and other substance use by demographic groups, and examined co-occurring substance use among U.S. high school students. Other studies examining adolescent substance use during the pandemic have had varying findings. In addition, measures to protect adolescents from COVID-19 infection, such as remote schooling, social isolation, and event cancelation, might have contributed additional risk for adolescent substance use. Adolescent substance use is of particular concern as overdose deaths among adolescents have increased dramatically (4). Prevalence of substance use measures by sexual identity and current co-occurring substance use were estimated using 2021 data.