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Botulism - Symptom

Symptoms:

Symptoms usually appear 8 - 36 hours after consuming contaminated food. There is NO fever with this infection.

In adults, symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Breathing difficulty that may lead to respiratory failure
  • Difficulty swallowing and speaking
  • Double vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Temporary lack of breathing
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness with paralysis (equal on both sides of the body)

Symptoms in infants may include:

  • Constipation
  • Weakness, loss of muscle tone
  • Weak cry
  • Poor feeding and weak sucking
  • Respiratory distress
  • Alertness, despite weakness

Signs and tests:

The doctor will perform a physical exam. There may be signs of:

  • Absent or decreased deep tendon reflexes
  • Absent or decreased gag reflex
  • Eyelid drooping
  • Muscle function/feeling loss
  • Paralyzed bowel
  • Speech impairment
  • Urine retention with inability to urinate

Blood tests can be done to identify the toxin. A stool culture may also be ordered. Lab tests can be done on the suspected food to confirm botulism.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/28/2009
  • Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bartlett JG. Clostridial infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 319.

Bleck TP. Clostridium botulinum (Botulism). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005: chap 243.

Long SS. Clostridium botulinum (Botulism). In: Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008: chap 189.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diagnosis and management of foodborne illnesses: a primer for physicians and other health care professionals. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2004;53(RR-4):1-33.

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