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Message from the Editor:
As the mother of two grown boys, Genevieve is interested in helping others learn about preventable illnesses, including food poisoning. Because botulism is a potentially fatal condition, it is important to her that the information about this condition be as widely known as possible.
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Botulism Contributors

Don’t be Paralyzed by an Avoidable Bout of Botulism

Pop-Top Tin Can FDP Credit danBotulism comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratil. When a food has been contaminated by one of these bacterium, or when an open cut is infected, the person can develop a severe, potentially fatal disease marked by paralysis.

Germs from both infant and adult intestinal toxemia grow in the intestines of their victims, then release the botulinum toxin. Symptoms include double and/or blurred vision, slurred speech, drooping eyelids, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness. Infants may have little appetite, suffer constipation, appear lethargic, show poor muscle tone and have a weakened cry. In both adults and infants, if the symptoms are not treated immediately, the disease progresses to paralysis of the legs, arms, trunk and respiratory systems. Symptoms first show about 18 to 36 hours after exposure, although they can show up within six hours or as much as 10 days later. To learn more about botulism, read our Bright Hub guides.

Image: Pop-Top Tin Can FDP Credit dan http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=587

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