Botulism

Botulism is a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by botulinum toxin, a poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The illness begins with weakness, blurred vision, fatigue and trouble speaking, and may be followed by weakness of the arms, chest muscles and legs. Vomiting, swelling of the abdomen and diarrhea can also occur, but consciousness is not usually affected and there is usually no fever. The bacterial spores are common in soil and water and are very resistant, and they make the toxin when exposed to low oxygen and certain temperatures. Foodborne botulism happens when food that holds the toxin is eaten. Infant botulism happens when the bacterium grows in the intestines of a child under one year old and releases the toxin there. Wound botulism is found most often among people who inject street drugs, when spores enter a wound and release the toxin without oxygen. The disease is not passed directly between people, and it is confirmed by finding the toxin or the bacteria in the patient. Prevention rests mainly on proper food preparation: heating destroys the toxin though not the spores, and honey should not be fed to children under 12 months. Treatment is with an antitoxin, and patients who cannot breathe on their own may need mechanical ventilation for months. Antibiotics may be used for wound botulism. Death occurs in 5 to 10 percent of people, and many other animals can also be affected. The word comes from the Latin botulus, meaning sausage.