What Is Botulism, And How Does It Kill?

CNN.com - RSS Channel - Health, CNN: Health
Thu, 05/25/2017 - 3:47pm

What is botulism, and how does it kill?

Two separate outbreaks this month of the rare but deadly toxin botulism have focused attention on this potentially fatal illness, which usually strikes about 150 people a year, mostly infants.

NEXT
Topics:  health   
RELATED ARTICLES
  • no title provided in feed
    Americans' mental health issues are not identified and treated as readily as physical symptoms, especially among children - in part due to a shortage of clinicians. "We're looking for ways to integrate mental health into settings where children and families are every day," says Dr. More
  • no title provided in feed
    Mayor Donna Deegan speaks with CNN's Jake Tapper More
  • no title provided in feed
    Rep. Brad Wenstrup speaks with CNN's Jake Tapper More
  • no title provided in feed
    For some who see a therapist, just talking things through isn't enough. Drama therapy allows the patient to relive a moment or play out their biggest fears. More
  • no title provided in feed
    Sen. Mark Kelly joins The Lead More
  • no title provided in feed
    This year, 28,000 pounds of human waste was removed from base camp. The Mount Everest Biogas Project plans to convert this waste into a usable product. More
BING NEWS:
  • Family's ordeal highlights infant botulism scare. What causes this rare illness?
    Colleen had infant botulism, a rare, potentially deadly infection that affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit and put on a ...
    04/29/2024 - 1:00 pm | View Link
  • Counterfeit Botox injections sicken 22 across 11 states, US health officials warn
    Counterfeit Botox injections can cause botulism, a deadly disease that starts with double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing.
    04/24/2024 - 2:15 pm | View Link
  • County warns of fake Botox injections after San Diego woman sickened
    San Diego County health officials issued a warning about counterfeit versions of botulinum toxin, often referred to as Botox, after a possible local botulism case.
    04/24/2024 - 11:21 am | View Link
  • County warns of counterfeit Botox after San Diego woman contracts botulism
    The San Diego County health department is warning the public to avoid Botox obtained online or injected by unlicensed providers after a 43-year-old woman suffered symptoms of botulism after buying a ...
    04/23/2024 - 10:06 pm | View Link
  • County officials warn about dangers of counterfeit Botox after woman suffers botulism
    The county is warning about the dangers of counterfeit Botox after a San Diego woman developed botulism. Officials say she was able to purchase the product online, then took it to a "Botox party" in ...
    04/23/2024 - 7:12 pm | View Link
  • More
BING SEARCH:
  • Botulism
    Diagnosis. To diagnose botulism, your health care provider checks you for muscle weakness or paralysis. Your provider looks for symptoms such as drooping eyelids and a weak voice. Your provider asks about foods you've eaten in the past few days. They try to find out if you were exposed to any bacteria through a wound.
    05/3/2024 - 4:15 am | View Link
  • Botulism
    Botulism is a rare and potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The disease begins with weakness, blurred vision, feeling tired, and trouble speaking. This may then be followed by weakness of the arms, chest muscles, and legs.
    05/2/2024 - 11:21 pm | View Link
  • About Botulism | Botulism | CDC
    Botulism (“BOT-choo-liz-um”) is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. This toxin is made by Clostridium botulinum and sometimes Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii bacteria.
    05/2/2024 - 10:24 pm | View Link
  • Symptoms | Botulism | CDC
    Botulism symptoms include vision problems, slurred speech and muscle weakness. Babies are lethargic and constipated. If botulism is suspected seek medical help immediately.
    05/2/2024 - 8:58 pm | View Link
  • Botulism
    Botulism is a rare, life-threatening poisoning caused by toxins produced by the anaerobic bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulism toxins, usually consumed in food, can weaken or paralyze muscles.
    05/2/2024 - 5:59 pm | View Link
  • More
NEXT