Botulism Symptoms

Anyone who is not aware of botulism symptoms should take time to educate themselves in what is often a life-threatening illness.  While botulism is rare, it can be fatal.  Individuals infected with this illness, if not treated immediately, face a 65% mortality rate.  While this particular bacteria is not as common in foodborne illnesses as other bacteria, it can be transmitted through foods.

Below are many of the botulism symptoms you should be aware of:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Double vision
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooping eyelids
• Lack of fever
• Dry mouth, skin and throat
• Paralysis

If you experience these symptoms of botulism, seek medical help immediately.  Infants who are infected with botulism often have a weak cry, may be constipated or not eat well.  While many other bacteria that cause food poisoning are usually mild and may even go untreated, botulism is always serious.

Botulism symptoms may result in asphyxia if it progresses to the point that the neurotoxins affect the throat and chest.  The paralysis that is associated with botulism normally begins in the eyes and face, which is the reason you should be concerned about drooping eyelids.  The neurotoxins progress downward from there, which is when death from asphyxiation may occur.  If you or a loved one have symptoms, do not wait – your life is in danger.

It may take weeks or even months to recover fully from botulism.  When an individual contract botulism through foods, the symptoms usually start in the range of 12 to 72 hours after eating the food responsible.  How severe your illness becomes and how long it lasts depends upon how much of the toxin was ingested among other factors.  It can last from one day to ten or more, but as mentioned above full recovery takes much longer.

When a person has botulism symptoms, a doctor can perform lab tests to detect the toxin.  This is generally derived from tests performed on the stool, serum or gastric secretions of the individual, which is then injected into mice to determine if signs of botulism are found.

Common causes of foodborne botulism are found in foods that are canned at home, and other processed foods found in supermarkets such as seafood products, canned vegetables, and sausages.  Those who have botulism symptoms and believe it is caused due to eating tainted foods should contact a food poisoning attorney.  The manufacturer of foods containing this toxin may be held responsible for medical costs and other expenses incurred due to your illness.

Symptoms of botulism should be considered a medical emergency!  Contact your doctor at once, and seek compensation if your illness was caused due to negligence by restaurants, food manufacturers or other third parties.