If nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain develops after dinner in Rimini, note when the meal was eaten and when the first symptoms appeared. A doctor must determine the cause: the same complaints can occur in different conditions.
What to do if you feel unwell after eating seafood
- Replace lost fluids. If you are vomiting, take oral rehydration solution in small sips.
- Measure your temperature and note the frequency of vomiting, diarrhoea and urination.
- Keep the receipt, the name of the dish and details of anyone else who became ill.
- Contact a doctor if vomiting prevents you from drinking or your condition worsens.
- Call 112 or 118 for loss of consciousness, seizures, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
When to call 112 or 118
Call 112 or 118 for loss of consciousness, seizures, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a sudden rapid deterioration. If the person is unresponsive or not breathing normally, tell the operator immediately and follow their instructions.
Call 112Common symptoms of foodborne illness
The Italian Ministry of Health lists nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain among the common symptoms. Fever, chills, weakness and headache may also occur. These signs alone do not establish that seafood was the cause.
- nausea and repeated vomiting;
- loose stools or diarrhoea;
- abdominal cramps and pain;
- weakness, chills or headache;
- sometimes a raised temperature.
Dangerous symptoms in seafood poisoning
Contact a doctor if vomiting prevents you from drinking, if there are signs of serious dehydration — confusion, very little or no urination, sunken eyes or a rapid heartbeat — or if neurological symptoms develop. Young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk.
Sudden swelling of the tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, requires a call to 112. Blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking or swallowing and increasing muscle weakness require urgent medical assessment or a visit to Pronto Soccorso. These signs are described in botulism, but you cannot diagnose it from symptoms alone.
What to tell a pharmacist about vomiting and diarrhoea
At the pharmacy, give the patient’s age, main symptoms, how long they have lasted, temperature and ability to drink. Ask for a soluzione reidratante orale, an oral rehydration solution. Show the pharmacist a list of medicines already being taken; any other treatment must be selected individually.
Doctor, insurance and complaint about a restaurant in Italy
For a medical consultation, have the receipt, name of the dish, time of the meal, onset of symptoms and details of anyone else who became ill. For a packaged product, keep the packaging and batch number. If there are grounds to link the case to a restaurant or shop, the Italian Ministry of Health recommends reporting it to the local public-health service.
Travel-insurance requirements depend on the policy. If the situation is not an emergency, ask the insurer how to access care and keep evidence of expenses. If life is at risk, call for help first.
How to describe the symptoms to a 112 operator
- Mi sono sentito/a male dopo aver mangiato frutti di mare.mee SOH-noh sen-TEE-toh/tah MAH-leh DOH-poh ah-VEHR man-JAH-toh FROOT-tee dee MAH-rehI became unwell after eating seafood.
- Abbiamo bisogno di un’ambulanza.ab-BYAH-moh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oo-nam-boo-LAN-tsahWe need an ambulance.
- Siamo a Rimini, in via…SYAH-moh ah REE-mee-nee een VEE-ah…We are in Rimini, on Via…
- Sto vomitando.stoh voh-mee-TAN-dohI am vomiting.
- Ho la diarrea.oh lah dee-ar-REH-ahI have diarrhoea.
- Ho la febbre.oh lah FEB-brehI have a fever.
- Ho forti dolori addominali.oh FOR-tee doh-LOH-ree ad-doh-mee-NAH-leeI have severe abdominal pain.
- Non riesco a bere senza vomitare.non ree-EH-skoh ah BEH-reh SEN-tsah voh-mee-TAH-rehI cannot drink without vomiting.
Frequently asked questions about feeling unwell after seafood
When should I contact a doctor after eating seafood?
Contact a doctor if vomiting prevents you from drinking, signs of serious dehydration appear, a significant fever persists or neurological symptoms develop. Young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems may need help sooner.
When should I call 112 or 118?
Call 112 or 118 for loss of consciousness, seizures, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a sudden rapid deterioration.
Which neurological symptoms after eating require urgent assessment?
Blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking or swallowing and increasing muscle weakness require urgent medical assessment or a visit to Pronto Soccorso. Botulism cannot be diagnosed from symptoms alone.
What should I ask for at a pharmacy for vomiting and diarrhoea?
Give the patient’s age, how long the symptoms have lasted, their temperature and whether they can drink. Ask about oral rehydration solution and show the pharmacist a list of medicines already being taken.
Official sources
- Italian Ministry of Health: foodborne illness, symptoms and seeking medical advice
- Italian Ministry of Health: taking oral rehydration solution in small sips when vomiting
- Italian Ministry of Health: symptoms and reporting a food-safety concern
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità: signs of foodborne botulism and the need for medical diagnosis
- Italian Ministry of Health: anaphylaxis and calling 112
- Italian Ministry of Health: emergency numbers 112 and 118
Sources checked on 23 August 2026. This article cannot establish the cause of symptoms and is not a substitute for medical assessment. It has not undergone independent medical review.
Ask about interpreting availability
After seeking medical care, tell me whom you need to speak to and what the conversation concerns. I will confirm whether I can interpret in your situation.