How to treat a rare disease botulism

What it Botulism ?
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Bacteria can enter the body through wounds, or they may live in cans right or preserved food.

Cause

Clostridium botulinum is found in soil and untreated water throughout the world. It produces spores that survive in a completely preserved or canned food, where they produce toxin. When eaten, even small amounts of this toxin can cause severe poisoning.

The most frequently contaminated food is home-canned vegetables, cured pork and ham, smoked or raw fish, and honey or corn syrup. Botulism can also occur if the organism enters open wounds and produce toxins there.

Infant botulism occurs when living bacteria or spores are eaten and grow in the digestive tract baby`s. The most common cause of botulism in infants who consume honey or corn syrup.

Clostridium botulinum also occurs normally in the stool of some infants.

Approximately 110 cases of botulism occurred in the United States per year. The majority are in infants.


Sign & Symptoms:

Symptoms usually appear between 8-36 hours after consumption of contaminated food.

In adults, symptoms may include:

stomach cramps
Difficulty breathing that can cause respiratory failure
Difficulty swallowing and speaking
double vision
dry mouth
nausea
Lack while breathing
gag
Weakness with paralysis

Symptoms in infants may include:

constipation
Weakness, loss of muscle
weak cry
Poor eating and sucking weak
respiratory disorders
Vigilance, although weakness

diagnosis:

The doctor will perform a physical examination. There may be signs of:

impaired speech
Muscle function / feeling loss
drooping eyelids
Absent or decreased gag reflex
No or decrease deep tendon reflexes
intestinal paralysis
Urinary retention with inability to urinate
Blood tests may be done to identify the toxin. Stool culture may also be ordered. Laboratory tests can be performed on the suspected food to confirm botulism.


treatment

Botulinus antitoxin is given.

Difficulty breathing requiring hospitalization. Health team will establish a clear airway and provide supportive therapy. A tube can be inserted through the nose or mouth into the throat to breathe oxygen. A breathing machine may be required.

Intravenous fluids can be given when the patient has difficulty swallowing. A feeding tubes can be inserted into the nose.


prevention

NEVER give honey or corn syrup to infants less than 1 year old - not even just a little taste on a pacifier.

Prevent botulism in infants with breast milk, if possible.

Always throw away bulging cans or off-smelling preserved foods. Sterilize home-canned foods pressure cooking at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.