first signs of botulism poisoning :: Article CreatorFood Poisoning Symptoms: Signs You Have Food Poisoning - WebMD
"Food poisoning" is a broad term that can actually cover a whole lot of different infections.
Your exact symptoms and how bad they are will vary. They will depend on the kind of bacteria, virus, or parasite that's infected you, how much is in your system, and how well your immune system is fighting it off.
Despite the wide range of types, most cases of food poisoning cause some mix of the following:
If you have a mild case, you might think you have a "stomach flu" or virus. You may get better without any treatment. But some people have such bad symptoms that they may need to go to the hospital.
Cramps in your stomach and gut, diarrhea, and vomiting may start as early as 1 hour after eating tainted food and as late as 10 days or longer. It depends on what is causing the infection.
Some other possible, common symptoms of a variety of food poisonings might include:
Some symptoms mean you should seek medical help immediately:
Repeated vomiting; not being able to hold anything down Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, little or no urination, dizziness, or sunken eyes Any diarrhea in a newborn or infant Diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 days (1 day in a child) or is severe Severe gut pain Fever of 102 F or higher, or a rectal temperature of 100.4 F in a baby younger than 3 months Black, tarry, or bloody stools Muscle weakness Tingling in your arms Blurry vision Confusion Diarrhea or flulike illness in pregnant women Jaundice (yellow skin), which can be a sign of hepatitis A You've probably heard of some of the bad bugs that can cause food poisoning:
Botulism is a rare but severe type of bacterial food poisoning.
Clostridium botulinum is the bacteria that causes botulism. It grows on food that hasn't been cooked or stored at the right temperatures to kill it or stop it from growing. This sometimes happens with foods that have been canned at home. Babies can get it from foods that have bacteria in them because they don't have the natural defenses that older children and adults do. Honey is the most common food that can infect a baby with botulism -- never give it to a baby under 1 year of age.
Symptoms might include:
Slurred speech or blurred vision Muscle weakness Hard time swallowing Dry mouth Muscle paralysis from the head down through the body Vomiting Call 911 if you see any symptoms of botulism in yourself or a loved one.
Anyone who eats contaminated food can get ill from food poisoning. But just how sick you get depends on what the infection is, how much of it you're exposed to, your age, and your health. Certain groups of people have a greater chance of getting seriously sick from food poisoning:
Adults ages 65 and older: As you age, your immune system becomes less able to fight off infection. Babies and young children: Very young people don't have fully developed immune systems. Pregnant women: Changes in your body when you're pregnant make it more likely that germs and bacteria can make you seriously sick. People with long-term illnesses: Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV, AIDS, or cancer treatments can weaken your immune system. To diagnose food poisoning, your doctor will review your medical history, including your symptoms, how long you've had them, and what foods you've eaten. They'll also ask whether you've traveled, and they may ask whether anyone else at home has these symptoms.
Based on what they find out, they may test your urine to see if you're dehydrated. They may also take blood and stool samples to try and trace the organism that has caused your illness.
If they find out the organism, they may contact your local health department to see if there's an outbreak. It's not always possible to find the exact cause.
Viral gastroenteritis, or "stomach flu," has several symptoms that are a lot like those of food poisoning, including:
Stomach pain and cramping Watery diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Just like with food poisoning, you may have a fever. But it will be a low-grade one (less than 101 F). Your head and muscles could also hurt.
These symptoms often start within 1 to 3 days of when you catch the infection. They usually last just a day or 2, but can go on as long as 10 days.
A mild case of food poisoning usually passes on its own with just rest and lots of fluids. But if you or a loved one has any signs of botulism or life-threatening illness, call 911 right away.
What Symptoms Does Clostridium Botulinum Cause? How To Treat Botulism - USA TODAY
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What Is Botulism? Mass Poisoning Reported In Russia
More than 100 people have fallen ill following a mass food poisoning in Moscow and its surrounding cities, with dozens of hospitalizations. Four suspects have been arrested and charged with violating food safety requirements, and an investigation has been launched by Russia's Investigative Committee.
The mass poisoning is thought to have originated from a batch of packaged, preprepared beans contaminated with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Spores of this bacterium are heat resistant and, in the absence of oxygen, grow to produce a deadly toxin called botulinum.
The conditions of canned and vacuum-packed foods provide the optimal conditions for these bacteria to thrive, and when consumed they cause a condition called botulism.
Foodborne botulism is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by contaminated foods, and hospitalization is often required. In Moscow, a mass poisoning is believed to have originated from preprepared beans contaminated with the bacterium... Foodborne botulism is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by contaminated foods, and hospitalization is often required. In Moscow, a mass poisoning is believed to have originated from preprepared beans contaminated with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. More Wavebreakmedia/Getty
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by the botulinum toxins, which block nerve activity and can lead to breathing and muscular paralysis. Interestingly, this is the same toxin that is injected into our skin during Botox treatment, to essentially paralyze the muscles in the face. However, when used for cosmetic treatments, the toxin is used in very low doses and not directly ingested.
Botulism is often caused by contaminated foods, but other sources are open wounds and poorly administered cosmetic injections. In rare cases, and for reasons the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say are still a mystery, the spores may develop inside the intestines of infants.
Early symptoms of botulism include fatigue, weakness, blurred vision and difficulty swallowing and speaking. Vomiting and other gastrointestinal problems may also occur. Treatment for botulism requires an antitoxin and, in some cases, mechanical ventilation for weeks or even months. Without appropriate treatment, the disease can be fatal, with deaths occurring in roughly 5 to 10 percent of cases, according to the World Health Organization.
Foodborne botulism is most likely to result from homemade canned, preserved or fermented foods, where inexpert preparation has enabled bacterial contamination. However, in the Moscow case the cook from the bean-producing company Savon-K had prepared and packaged the suspected beans in violation of safety requirements in order to cut costs, Russia's Investigative Committee said.
Newsweek has reached out to the Investigative Committee for further comment via email.
Investigative actions are being carried out with the general director and head of quality at food delivery service LocalKitchen, which produced the salads that are thought to have contained the contaminated beans, as well as the head of Savon-K.
"The investigation is deciding on the measure of restraint," the committee said in a statement.
The products thought to contain the contaminated beans have been recalled. As of Friday, no deaths have been reported by officials.
Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.Com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
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