Botulism is a deadly type of food poisoning that affects the nervous system. According to Medline Plus, about 110 people in the United States contract botulism each year, mostly infants. Avoiding potentially contaminated food can prevent this disease.
Organism
The bacteria Clostridium botulinum is responsible for botulism. This organism normally lives in soil and untreated water, but can also infect food. The bacteria itself is not deadly, but it produces spores that release neurotoxins that can lead to an acute and deadly form of food poisoning. There are seven different types of toxins released by botulism spores, but only four are deadly to people.
Reaction
When someone ingests food contaminated with the botulism toxin, they may first develop nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. This proceeds soon to the neurological symptoms blurred vision, slurred speech, droopy eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness that spreads down the body. Symptoms typically begin between 12 and 36 hours after eating the contaminated food. If left untreated, symptoms may progress to paralysis and eventually death, as the respiratory system becomes paralyzed and the person can't breathe.
Sources
Improperly heated home-canned or home-preserved foods are a potential source of botulism. Store-bought canned goods can also be affected along with smoked fish and cured meats. In restaurants, improperly prepared or stored food items may harbor the botulism bacteria. According to Merck Manuals, restaurant outbreaks have involved foil-wrapped baked potatoes, patty melt sandwiches and chopped garlic in oil.
Considerations
Infants under age 1 are prone to a form of botulism that comes from honey. Honey often contains botulism bacterial spores, but the digestive system of older children and adults destroy them. In infants, however, the bacteria can infect the intestinal lining and grow there.
Prevention
To prevent botulism, boil any home-canned food for 30 minutes or more before serving, since this can destroy the toxin. Do not eat purchased canned food if the can appears to be bulging or has an unusual odor. Do not feed honey to infants. Even tiny amounts of botulism toxin can cause illness, so it is better to get rid of suspect food items instead of trying to remove the toxin.
Treatment
An antitoxin is available for three of the four varieties of botulism toxin that can affect humans. This antitoxin is most effective if given within 72 hours of first noticing symptoms. Antitoxin is not effective for infant botulism. If the respiratory system becomes affected, hospitalization is required to restore breathing.
