Botulism...What is it?

Botulism is an extremely rare, as well as an extremely nerve-racking ailment. This is due to the fact that the most common way to come in contact with this illness is through preserved or canned food, as it is found in soil and untreated water throughout the world. Botulism is caused by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. Even just the tiniest morsel ingested and you suffer through severe poisoning. s mentioned before, the most common contact with this toxin is through canned or preserved food, primarily home-canned vegetables, cured pork, raw fish, as well as honey and corn syrup. nother point of contact with this condition is if the organism enters through an open wound or sore on your body. There are approximately 110 documented cases of Botulism that occur in the U.S every year. lthough the number is relatively small, the unfortunate majority affected are in infants typically ! to "# weeks of age. This is most likely due to the fact that some formulas are preserved and baby$s immune systems aren$t as well developed yet. %others should never give their child honey or corn syrup, and it is suggested that breastfeeding exclusively &if possible' are the best ways to prevent infant Botulism. Everyone should immediately throw out bulging cans as well as foul-smelling preserved foods. The signs and symptoms of Botulism usually appear about (-)# hours after consumption, it should also be noted that there is no fever with the infection. lthough rare, the symptoms with adults can include* bdominal cramps, breathing difficulty&can lead to respiratory failure', difficulty swallowing and speaking, double vision, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, weakness with +aralysis on both sides of the body. ,ince this condition is more susceptible in infants the symptoms can include* -onstipation, .eakness, loss of muscle tone, a weak cry, poor feeding, respiratory distress, and alertness despite weakness. /f you suspect you or your child has in fact come in contact with the toxin your doctor will perform a stool culture and a blood test, as well as special lab testing done on the food to confirm the prognosis. The treatment for this illness often involves antibiotics, &however they are not always beneficial'. /f breathing trouble does occur, hospitali0ation should be immediate as to provide support and possible intravenous fluids can be given as needed. s with most severe health cases, speedy treatment often reduces the risk of death. The state health authorities or the 1., -enters for 2isease -ontrol and +revention are informed by your health care provider so that the contaminated items can be removed from the public. Botulism is a reminder to me of how careless3 others &as well as myself' really can be with food. 2o we really inspect our canned goods or preservatives as well as we should, each and every time4 / mean, it$s obvious that if we see a can half open almost bulging out everywhere in the grocery isle we wouldn$t take that home with us. .hat about the little dents, especially on the side or the bottom4 / can easily picture a scenario of a mom swamped with a newborn and " toddlers, rushing around shopping and in a hurry to go home to feed her kids overlooking something like that. nother thought that occurred to me was* let$s say you$re one of those people who

actually exhibits a good job of inspecting your items and it$s safe to say your can will never have the slightest grove in it, but what about the people who aren$t up to par with your standards4 / highly doubt, especially on a decent basis that anyone actually turns in those slightly dented cans, &the one you wouldn$t dare purchase' to a store clerk, unless of course it$s noticeable enough to cause a spill on isle #. That being said, no you wouldn$t be summoned to a courthouse if your neighbor &the one with the three kids' accidentally fed her child food from that can for dinner, and the baby suffered a bout with Botulism. lthough that is an extreme example, / do think that everyone should make more of an effort to help one another out and hopefully it can make this rare condition an almost non-existent one.