Botulism is a disease caused by a bacterial toxin in which the muscles become paralyzed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MedlinePlus describes three types of botulism: wound, food-borne and infant botulism. Wound botulism occurs when contaminated soil comes into contact with an open wound; food-borne botulism occurs when a person eats toxin-contaminated food; and infant botulism occurs when a baby ingests the spores of the bacteria, which then produce illness-producing toxin.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects
Symptoms usually begin from 18 to 36 hours after the toxin gets inside the body; however, the appearance of symptoms may occur as soon as four hours and as late as eight days, according to Merck Manuals, an online medical library. First symptoms from the botulism toxin usually include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In wound botulism these effects don't occur because the bacteria doesn't pass through the stomach and the intestines.
Neurologic Effects
Generally, neurologic effects of the botulism toxin appear after the gastrointestinal effects. Neurologic symptoms usually affect both sides of the body and start with the cranial (head) nerves and proceed down through the body. These symptoms include muscle weakness and paralysis. Because of the paralysis of the muscles around the lungs, respiratory failure and death is possible.
Other Effects
Other potential effects of botulism include dry mouth, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, blurred vision and difficulty swallowing. The eyes may fail to normally dilate and contract in response to light. The CDC reports that these effects can be counteracted if the person receives antitoxin early in the disease. The antitoxin blocks the toxin's effect on the body and can prevent the incidence or severity of the symptoms.
