Botulism is a rare but serious illness that attacks your body’s nervous system. Types of botulism include foodborne, infant and wound botulism. Botulism is usually caused by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Symptoms include muscle weakness and paralysis. Treatment typically includes antitoxin to prevent the toxin from causing more damage.
Botulism is a serious illness caused by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria produce a poison (toxin) that can attack your body’s nervous system. If left untreated, botulism can be fatal.
Botulism poisoning is rare. But because it can cause death, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you or your child develop botulism symptoms. Symptoms may include drooping eyelids and other signs affecting the muscles of your face, eyes and throat. It can eventually affect muscles related to breathing.
Clostridium botulinum toxins attack your nerves. This can cause weakness and paralysis of your muscles, like those that help you move, talk and swallow. If the toxins attack the nerves that control your breathing, it can be fatal.
There are several different types of botulism. The most common kinds include foodborne botulism, infant botulism and wound botulism. Iatrogenic botulism and adult intestinal toxemia botulism are other rare forms of botulism.
Foodborne botulism can happen when you eat foods contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores. When food is stored improperly, bacteria can grow. As the bacteria grow, they release toxins into your food.
Foodborne botulism commonly occurs when homemade canned foods are improperly preserved or stored. Though rare, improperly canned store-bought foods can also cause botulism. Other sources of foodborne botulism include:
Botulism in babies can occur when Clostridium botulinum spores are ingested. When the spores reach your baby’s intestines, they grow and release the toxin. The source of the spores isn’t always known. But they’re commonly found in soil and dust. When the soil and dust become airborne, your baby may breathe them in.
The spores may also be present in honey. Ingesting botulinum spores doesn’t cause botulism in healthy older children and adults. But for reasons unknown, the toxin is released in infants younger than 12 months old. This is why experts advise that babies shouldn’t eat honey until they’re at least 1 year old.
Wound botulism can develop when Clostridium botulinum spores get into a wound. When the spores get into a wound, they can grow and release toxins into your bloodstream.
Wound botulism most often occurs in people who use needles to inject drugs into their veins. In rare cases, it can also develop after surgery or a serious injury.
Iatrogenic botulism can occur when you have too much botulinum toxin (Botox®) injected. Botox uses a purified and heavily diluted form of Clostridium botulinum. You may receive botulinum toxin treatments for cosmetic reasons, such as wrinkles. Or you may receive them for medical reasons, such as migraine headaches.
Botox botulism is rare. But you should only get botulinum toxin injections from a licensed medical professional. They’ll know the safest and correct amount to give you.
Adult intestinal toxemia botulism is also known as adult intestinal colonization. It’s a very rare kind of botulism that can happen when Clostridium botulinum spores get into your intestines. The spores grow and produce toxins the same way they do in infants. If you have a serious health condition that affects your digestive system, you may be more likely to develop this form of botulism.
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Botulism is rare. In 2018, 242 confirmed botulism cases were reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most of the cases involved infant botulism.
Symptoms of infant botulism can range from mild to severe. They may develop anywhere from three to 30 days after exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Symptoms of infant botulism can include:
Symptoms of botulism in older children and adults usually begin in the muscles of your face, eyes and throat. Without treatment, symptoms can spread to other parts of your body. Signs can appear from a few hours to several days after ingesting botulism spores. Symptoms include:
Bacteria called Clostridium botulinum causes botulism. Sometimes, Clostridium butyricum or Clostridium baratii bacteria cause botulism. You can come in contact with the bacteria or its spores without getting sick. But under certain conditions, the spores can develop and grow.
These mature bacteria then release the toxins. When the toxins are released, they quickly spread into your bloodstream and attach to your nerves. Botulism develops when those nerves no longer work. Conditions that allow spores to develop and grow include:
You can get Clostridium botulinum from an infected wound or from eating contaminated food. But the bacteria release toxins that can make you sick if they get into your body through your mouth or a break in your skin.
The spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria are commonly found in soil but only rarely make you sick. It’s sometimes found in preserved vegetables, fish or meats. Foods preserved by home canning methods are more likely to be contaminated than foods found in grocery stores. Infants under a year old can get Clostridium botulinum toxins from honey.
To diagnose botulism, your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and check for weak or paralyzed muscles.
Botulism can resemble symptoms of other conditions including stroke, meningitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. So, your healthcare provider may need to do more testing to confirm a diagnosis of botulism.
To confirm the diagnosis of botulism, your healthcare provider can conduct a test that shows the toxin is present in your blood, stool or vomit. Suspected food samples can also be tested for the toxin.
Other tests your healthcare provider may use include:
The test results can take several days. So, your healthcare provider may begin treatment right away if botulism is suspected.
Depending on the cause and severity of your botulism, your healthcare provider may use a variety of treatment options. In the most common treatment, your healthcare provider will give you a medication called an antitoxin. Antitoxins block the toxin’s activity in your bloodstream. This prevents the toxins from causing any more damage. But antitoxin can’t heal what’s already been damaged. You may need to stay in the hospital for weeks or months while you heal.
If you have breathing problems, your healthcare provider may place you on a breathing machine (ventilator). A ventilator is a machine that helps you breathe. You’ll be on a ventilator until any paralysis affecting your breathing goes away.
If you have wound botulism, you may need an operation to remove the contaminated part of your wound surgically. After the operation, you may take antibiotics to keep the infection from coming back.
No specific treatment will cure botulism, though mild nerve damage can heal. Antitoxins can stop further damage from the toxin.
Botulism can paralyze the muscles that help you swallow and breathe. While antitoxins can help in many cases, some people do die of breathing problems and infections. In addition, health issues that may result from botulism include:
Depending on the severity of your case, recovery from botulism can take weeks, months or even years. Most people who receive prompt treatment recover completely in fewer than two weeks.
You can take steps to prevent the most common types of botulism.
Botulism can be fatal if left untreated. But most people who receive a prompt diagnosis and treatment can make a full recovery from the illness. They return to normal functioning throughout their lives.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Botulism is a serious illness that attacks your body’s nervous system, causing weakness and muscle paralysis. Botulism poisoning is rare. But if left untreated, it can be fatal. If you or your child develop any symptoms of botulism, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room. With prompt medical care, botulism can be treated.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/22/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy