Ciguatera

/ˌsɪɡwəˈtɛrə/ noun

Definition

A serious type of food poisoning caused by eating tropical fish contaminated with ciguatoxin, producing neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Etymology

From Spanish ciguatera, derived from cigua (the fish) plus -atera (a suffix indicating disease or condition). The disease was first documented in the Caribbean.

Kelly Says

Ciguatera symptoms can last for months or even years, and victims report strange 'temperature reversal' where cold feels burning hot—it's like your nerve signals get completely scrambled by the toxin.

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