Botulism

The definition of botulism is best described as botulism being considered a serious disease, caused by a toxin. Although it is quite rare in humans, when it does occur medical attention should be sought immediately. Intoxication caused by foods with toxins causes botulism. The toxins in foods are actually produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum.

There is no way to contract botulism by coming into contact with someone who has it. There are four types of botulism that humans can get, and it most often occurs when people eat foods that have been improperly prepared. Other ways of getting the disease are from wound infections or in infants, in intestinal infections. It is very important to learn how to recognize infant botulism to prevent potential loss of life to a baby.

Botulism Symptoms and Botulism Poisoning

Food-borne Botulism: Toxins are found in many food varieties. Low-acid vegetables, including spinach, beets, mushrooms and green beans contain the botulinal toxin. Meats, fish and meat products such as tuna fish in a can, smoked or salted fish, ham, sausage and chicken. The toxin is destroyed when the food is prepared and cooked properly, as the Clostridium botulinum does not grow when food has been heated properly.

A recent concern involves buying carrot juice from the supermarket. If carrot juice is mishandled, and not refrigerated properly, the juice is likely to cause botulism in people who drink it.

Inhalation Botulism: This type of botulism typically has been an issue for people who work in laboratories dealing with aerosol products. When they inhale the toxins, they end up contracting botulism- with the same effects and symptoms as food-borne botulism.

Water-borne Botulism: Due to the treatment processes of public water supply, the risk of obtaining botulism by drinking water is rare, but it could occur in untreated water.

Infant Botulism: This can occur in infants if they ingest spores. The spores actually grow bacteria in the baby’s belly, and can release the toxin. This is only possible in children under six months of age because of the lowered defenses to the toxin.

The most serious symptom associated with botulism is paralysis. The toxins actually attach themselves to nerve endings, causing the muscles associated with the nerves to become paralyzed. If someone dies from botulism, it is typically because the chest muscles have become paralyzed and have made it impossible to breath.

Preventing Botulism With Good Food Preparation

The best way to prevent botulism is by learning how to properly preserve and prepare foods prior to eating or storing them. Preventing botulism begins at the grocery store. Do not purchase canned items that are in dented, swollen or leaking cans. These are prime targets for the disease causing toxins to grow. When you eat canned foods at home, you might consider taking the time to boil the contents of the can for 10 minutes to destroy any of the botulism toxin that may be in the food.

At home, if you do your own canning, follow instructions exactly to prevent botulism. If you bake potatoes in aluminum foil, they need to be kept hot until they are served or refrigerated to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Injecting Botulism In Botox Jabs… On Purpose!

Did you know that Botox injections are actually injections of the Botulism Toxin A? Why would anyone want to purposely inject their bodies with such a dangerous toxin? Botox injections cause certain areas of the body to be unable to move, and if the skin can’t move, it can’t wrinkle.

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