Bacterial
By Olivia Simpson
Clostridium Botulinium AKA Botulism
*Clostridium Botulinium is the group of bacteria that can be found in soil. It grows in areas of low oxygen.
* Can be spread through food, wounds, or if a person ingests the toxins
Symptoms
* Double and blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, dry mouth, and muscle weakness
* If left untreated it may cause paralysis. In food borne botulism symptoms can last for at least 10 days
Treatments/Cures
* If the Botulism is severe the patient may have to be put on a ventilator.
* Can be treated with an antitoxin.
* Wound Botulism can be treated by removing the surface of the toxins and using antibiotics.
* Food borne Botulism can be treated by inducing vomiting or using enemas.
History
* The first case of Botulism was in Europe of 1735. It was associated with a German sausage.
* Named after the Latin word for sausage "botulus"
* Some nations produced botulism in World War 2 as a bacteriological weapon.