Botulism (from food)

Overview

Botulism toxin blocks nerves and can stop breathing. Sources include home-canned foods, wound infections, and honey in babies.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Double vision and weakness

Less common

• Trouble swallowing
• Slurred speech
• Drooping eyelids
• Dry mouth

Look up a symptom: Double vision or droopy eyelids that get worse when tired

When to get medical care

Causes

Toxin.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It usually doesn't spread from person to person.
• People get it from: food or wounds.

Diagnosis

Hospital care.

Treatment

Get care.

Self-care

• Throw out bulging or leaking cans
• Follow tested canning recipes
• Throw out bulging cans

Prevention

To prevent:

• Safe canning
• No honey under 1
• Don't feed honey to babies under 1

Which doctor treats this

• Emergency doctors treat it first, in the ER.
• They may send you to an infectious disease specialist, for hard-to-treat infections.

Back to school, work, or sports

• Recovery time varies. Ask your care team when you can drive, lift, work, and exercise.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Babies: Weak suck, constipation, and floppiness.
• Babies: Honey risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

For caregivers

• Go to visits when you can and take notes.
• Keep a list of medicines, allergies, and doctors in one place.
• Learn the warning signs that need fast care.
• Learn CPR. Many hospitals and the Red Cross offer classes.
• Take breaks and ask for help. Caregivers need care too.

Outlook

Antitoxin helps.

Antitoxin helps most.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• What's causing my symptoms?
• What treatment do you recommend?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Botulism (from food)