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A disease caused by bacteria (fig.1)
growing in spoiled food.
What is it? (Overview)
Botulism is a rare but dangerous illness
caused by toxic bacteria spores. Three types of botulism cause
about 110 cases annually in the United States. Most of these
cases (72%) are infant botulism, followed by foodborne botulism
(25%) and wound botulism (3%).
You can get foodborne botulism by eating
contaminated foods, which is most commonly found in improperly
home-canned or preserved foods. An annual average of 963 of
these cases are diagnosed worldwide.
Wound botulism cases, caused by a wound
infected with Clostridium botulinum, are on the rise. These
cases are associated with black tar heroin, cocaine, trauma,
and surgery.
Babies get infant botulism when they eat
contaminated food. Spores grow in the infant’s undeveloped
intestines and release toxins.
All forms of botulism require immediate
medical attention because it can be fatal if left untreated.
How do I know I have it? (Symptoms
and Diagnosis)
Symptoms of botulism in adults include:
- Double vision.
- Blurred vision.
- Drooping eyelids.
- Slurred speech.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Dry mouth.
- Muscle weakness.
If untreated, the symptoms can lead to permanent
or temporary paralysis of the arms, legs, respiratory muscles,
and trunk.
How is it treated? (Treatment)
Botulism is easiest to treat if caught early.
Foodborne and wound botulism can be treated with an antitoxin.
A doctor may try to remove contaminated
food still in the digestive system by inducing vomiting or
by giving enemas. If diagnosed late, severe foodborne and
wound botulism can lead to respiratory failure as well as
paralysis. It may be necessary to place the patient on a breathing
machine for weeks, along with intensive medical and nursing
care.
How dangerous is it? (Outlook)
If left untreated, a patient may die from
respiratory failure. People who survive botulism may have
fatigue and shortness of breath for years and long-term therapy
might be necessary to aid recovery.
About 7.5% of people with foodborne botulism
die. Death from wound botulism is slightly higher at 10%.
Infants have the lowest mortality rate at 1.3%, but there
is a 5% chance that the symptoms will return.
How can I prevent it? (Prevention)
Always discard bulging cans or bad smelling
preserved foods. Avoid cooking potatoes in aluminum foil and
allowing them to cool at room temperature.
When home-canning, sterilize foods by cooking
at 250 F for 30 minutes. Boil these foods for 10 minutes before
eating.
For Kids
The most common infant botulism symptoms
are:
- Acting lethargic.
- Lack of appetite.
- Constipation.
- Weak cry.
- Poor muscle tone
Children aren’t usually given antitoxin.
Usual treatment is for symptoms, which can appear as late
as 30 days after eating tainted food.
Don’t give honey to children under
a year. Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum
that children’s undeveloped organs are particularly sensitive
to.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Can eating food from a dented
can cause botulism?
A: Yes. A dent allows an air leak
that causes bacteria to grow.
Glossary
Antitoxin: An antibody formed to create
immunity to a specific toxin, often given to a person to treat
a disease.
Sources
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