Botulism Information and Treatment

Botulism is a uncommon and serious condition. Botulism result by toxin produced by bacteria known Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria generally establish in soil. These rod-shaped organisms evolve best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria type spores which admit them to survive in a inactive state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. The toxins that this bacterium produces are among the great poisonous substances.

Botulinic toxin acts by blocking nerve work and carries to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis. There are three principal kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism is result by eating foods that hold the rare botulinum toxin. Wound botulism is result by and toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum. It is very difficult to obtain it this way. Infant botulism is result consuming the spores of the botulinum bacteria, which then evolve or move in the intestines and release toxin. Infant botulism results from intestinal colonization of organisms in baby younger than 1 year. The most familiar cause of infant botulism is eating honey.

All three forms of botulism are relatively uncommon in the UK. Botulism is not contagious and cannot be spread through person-to-person contact. Symptoms usually see between 8 - 36 hours after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms of botulism involve double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, hardship swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. Botulism will require to be treated with injections of antitoxins. Intravenous fluids can be given when the patient has to swallow difficulties. Botulism can be prevented. Persons who do house canning should follow exact hygienic procedures to the contamination of reduction in foods.

Surgery may be essential to clean an infected wound and kill the source of the bacteria that is producing the toxin. Antimicrobial therapy may be necessary. The employ of human-derived botulinum antitoxin may also be helpful. Physical and occupational therapists are required to work on compass of motion exercises and assisted ambulation as tolerated. When botulism is caused by food, it frequently is essential to flush the gastrointestinal tract (gastric lavage). Often cathartic agents or enemas are used. It is important to avoid products that hold magnesium, since magnesium augments the effect of the toxin.