The treatment of botulism should be carried out in the hospital and involves the administration of a serum against the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and the washing of stomach and intestine, in order to eliminate all traces of contaminants.. In addition, cardiorespiratory monitoring in the hospital is important, as the toxin in bacteria can cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Botulism is a disease caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, found in soil and poorly preserved foods, and produces a toxin, botulinum toxin, which can cause serious symptoms that can lead to death within hours, depending on the amount of toxin produced by this bacterium..
- To avoid contamination with this bacteria.
- It is recommended to eat properly disinfected and in good condition foods.
The treatment of botulism should be performed in a hospital setting, usually in an intensive care unit, as it aims to neutralize the action of the toxin produced by bacteria in the body, being important that the patient is monitored and prevents disease progression.
Treatment usually involves the application of an anti-botulinic serum, also called antitoxin, and should be performed as soon as possible to increase the chances of recovery.The anti-botulinum serum corresponds to heterological antibodies derived from horses, which can cause hypersensitivity reactions during administration, so it is necessary to monitor the patient in the hospital, in addition, it is recommended to wash the stomach and intestines to remove any remaining contaminated food.
Survival measures, such as the use of breathing apparatus, heart function control, proper nutrition and the prevention of pressure ulcers are also part of the treatment. Botulinum toxin can cause paralysis of the cardiorespiratory muscles, which can lead to death.signs and symptoms of botulism.
To avoid contamination with Clostridium botulinum bacteria, it is important to pay attention to the consumption, distribution and marketing of food, so it is recommended to:
Do not offer honey to a baby under one year old, as honey is a great way to spread the spores of this bacteria, which can lead to botulism in the baby because the immune system is not fully developed. Learn more about baby botulism.