Botulism Food Poisoning: Symptoms & Treatment
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC
Food-borne botulism is a potentially fatal disease that affects about 30 Americans every year. If left untreated, botulism causes nerve paralysis throughout the body. As a result, the nerves are unable to send signals to the muscle tissues, rendering patients partially or fully paralyzed. Without prompt medical attention, botulism victims can die due to respiratory failure, as the paralyzed lung muscles are unable to carry out the basic breathing function.
Botulism Symptoms
The most common source of botulism toxin is improperly prepared canned food, such as chili sauce, meat, fish, corn, beets and green peas. For example, in 2007, botulism-tainted canned chili sauce made by Castleberry's Food Company sickened at least eight people. After eating this product, victims noticed the onset of troubling symptoms such as muscle weakness, vertigo and blurred vision. Other common symptoms of botulism include:
- Drooping Eyelids
- Fatigue
- Double Vision
- Dry Mouth
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Trouble Breathing
The symptoms can begin as early as 18 hours after being exposed to the botulism toxin, but in some cases patients do not notice any signs of botulism until 10 days after contracting the dangerous bacteria.
Botulism Treatment
Due to the progressive nature of botulism disease, it is vital that botulism victims seek treatment as soon as they notice the first signs of trouble. When medical professionals suspect botulism, they immediately hospitalize the victim and notify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most important part of botulism treatment is administration of the botulism antitoxin, a substance that counteracts the botulism toxin in the blood. In addition, many botulism patients are put on a mechanical ventilator, because the botulism toxin often severely compromises the lung function.
While prompt intervention can halt the spread of botulism toxin throughout the body, recovery typically requires several months. This is because the botulism toxin destroys a vital component of the nerve cells called the axons. The axons play a major role in transmitting signals from the nerves to the muscles, which is why botulism patients often experience muscle paralysis. After suffering from botulism, the human body has to grow new axons to be able to carry out proper nerve-muscle coordination. Depending on the characteristics of each botulism patient, this process might take weeks to months. In some cases, the nerve cells are unable to repair themselves completely. As a result, botulism victims are left with long-term impairments, such as shortness of breath and muscle coordination problems.
Botulism Legal Recourse
Botulism is a serious disease requiring extensive medical treatment and lengthy rehabilitation. During the treatment and recovery process, botulism victims are usually unable to work and are prevented from enjoying most of their everyday activities. In addition, they often have to face large hospital bills and ongoing therapy expenses. The law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz are dedicated to helping botulism victims hold those responsible for their financial, physical and psychological damages responsible. In cases whereby food manufacturers, distributors or servers have failed to provide consumers with safe products, they can be compelled to provide just compensation through negotiations and/or litigation. Please contact AWKO Law at (888) 255-2956 to discuss your botulism, salmonella, campylobacter, fish tapeworm infection or E. coli food poisoning case and determine the best plan of action.
* required fields
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
803 North Palafox St.
Pensacola, Florida 32501
55 Baybridge Dr.
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
