Top doctor's warning of mushroom foraging dangers

The sudden death of three people from suspected mushroom poisoning in Victoria has put the spotlight on just how dangerous the plant can be.

Known as death caps, Today medical expert Dr Nick Coatsworth said if as little as half of one is consumed, it can lead to a slow and painful death.

"I'm not one for over exaggeration, but these are seriously dangerous things," he said.

READ MORE: Food dehydrator tested in mushroom poisoning investigation

With a mortality rate of between 20 to 50 per cent, Coatsworth said the initial symptoms can be misleading - especially if you don't know what you've eaten .

"It's abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and one of the real problems is that those symptoms set in about six hours and subside in about 24," he said.

"You think you're okay but your liver is failing."

Coatsworth said the damage to your liver means you need a transplant and if you don't get one you will die.

He said if anyone ingests wild mushrooms and any of the early symptoms start to show, you should see a doctor immediately.

READ MORE: Suspected mushroom poisoning leaves three dead

"In fact, there's some suggestion that if you eat any wild mushroom, whether you have symptoms or not, you should take the mushroom and get it checked out," he said.

"It's not just experts in the field, it is literally having a look at that mushroom in a laboratory to determine whether it is a death cap or not - that's how hard it is to know.

"I think the public health message is absolutely clear here - Do not collect and eat wild mushrooms."

See what else Dr Coatsworth had to say in the video above

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