Botulism symptoms

     The botulism symptoms that occur in persons suffering from this disease is the lack of strength, a dry mouth, the difficulty in swallowing as well as in speech, blurred or double vision and paralysis. In infants, the signs are difficult to observe and include constipation, loss of appetite, crying poor or lack of power.

Incubation

     At adults, botulism symptoms usually appear after 12 or 36 hours after eating the infected food. In infants, this period is greater extending from 3 to 30 days. When the disease is contacted through various lesions and open plagues, botulism symptoms are will appear in the next 4 to 14 days.

Botulism occurrence causes

     Botulism symptoms are caused by a toxin produced by bacteria. If the disease is not treated in time, the disease may progress and lead to paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles. The botulism toxin is installed into the body through eating the food that was not properly stored or by bacteria entering the open wounds. The infection does not spread from person to person.

Diagnosis of botulism

     The organisms that generate the botulism symptoms can be found in stool samples or lymph (the fluid that is contained in blood). The tests may require an electromyography - the measuring of electrical activity in the muscles. A brain scan and a spinal fluid examination may also help doctors achieve a clear and concise diagnosis.

The botulism treatment

     After examining the botulism symptoms and having an accurate diagnosis the doctor can proceed to treatment. In the early stage of the disease, treatment is extremely important. Botulism caused by bad food or contacted through wounds can be treated with anti toxic drugs, which are designed to block the action of toxins in the blood. Anti toxic drugs cannot undo the harm already done, but they can stop or prevent any disease progression. Anti toxic drugs are not generally prescribed in the treatment of infant botulism.

     When botulism causes difficulty in swallowing, the doctors will drop the anti toxic drugs and will focus on injection therapy. If breathing problems occur, you can use an artificial breathing apparatus. Consumption of antibiotics can lead to greater absorption of toxins, since the spores are destroyed in the gut. Many people have allergic reactions to anti toxin drugs derived from horse serum. There is also the human antitoxin derivative that does not cause so many side effects.

     Through proper treatment, the body is often able to heal in a few months. If botulism is not treated, can paralyze or often individuals can no longer breathe. Even with treatment, the healing may take a long time, especially for infant botulism. If the treatment wasn't done in the early stages of the disease, botulism can lead to complications due to paralysis, such as pneumonia or other infections.

Methods of prevention of botulism

     To prevent infection with botulinum toxin, food storage should be made or retained only by those who know how to prevent food contamination. Strict hygiene procedures are to be followed when the food is prepared or preserved. Parents should not give children under 1 year honey containing Clostridium botulinum spores. Also, the wounds should be washed thoroughly with antibacterial soap to prevent infection by this bacterium

     As a conclusion we must say that botulism is a disease caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. If it is not treated, the disease can cause paralysis, loss of sensation or muscle function. Also, botulism can cause breathing difficulties. Botulism is a rare disease but can it be fatal!