Botulism
can be caused by foods that were canned or preserved at home.
If you've had fruits or vegetables that someone picked from
the garden in the summer and jarred so they could be eaten during
the winter months. These foods need to be cooked at very high
temperatures to kill the germs.
If
not, bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum could cause botulism
in the people who eat the food. You cannot always see, smell,
or taste these bacteria, but they release a poison, also called
a toxin. This toxin travels through the blood to attach to the
nerves that control muscles. From several hours to a week after
eating contaminated food, the person may get sick.
Many
botulism cases occur in infants, and experts think that is because
their digestive systems cannot protect them from germs the way
an older kid's or an adult's digestive system can. Infant botulism
can happen if a baby younger than a year eats honey, so it is
important that babies do not eat honey until they are older.
Symptoms of Botulism
Botulism
stops the muscles from working, so someone with botulism needs
medical care right away. As the toxin spreads, muscles become
weak all over. Many people feel queasy and may throw up or have
diarrhea. Other symptoms can include:
-
Difficulty swallowing
-
Difficulty speaking
-
Droopy eyelids
-
Double or blurred vision
-
Trouble breathing
Treatment
After
hearing about a person's symptoms or examining a baby, the doctor
will probably test the blood or stool for the toxin. The doctor
also might do a spinal tap or other tests to be sure. Someone
who has botulism will have to go to the hospital to be watched
closely. It can take a long time for the person to get better.
Prevention
The
best way to eliminate botulism is to cook foods at right amount
of heat (high- to very- high temperatures), especially canned
or bottled foods to kill the bacteria.
Another
way to eliminate botulism is of course cleanliness. Prepare
the food properly, and of course, by washing the hands thoroughly
to prevent the spreading of germs.
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