Poisoning from an overdose of mercury.

Expectations (prognosis)

Severity of symptoms and long-term effects are dependent on the amount of exposure and the time to treatment. It is important to be evaluated by a physician for any suspected mercury exposure. Mercury causes neurologic effects, including irritability, developmental delay, or psychosis. For mercury chloride and some of the other salt forms, deaths have occurred. Any closure of the throat or extreme difficulty breathing is an emergency situation.