"My worst fear when I had  botulism was not getting back to normal because the vision was really bad, and my throat was really tight. My whole body felt really weak.  I was afraid that I would not be able to lift my newborn baby again."

Marie Botulism survivor

"I didnt know what was happening. I had blurred vision and diarrhea and was thirsty, and the sun seemed hazy even though it was in the afternoon. If wed had it worse, we would have been dead, from botulism, thats the biggest worry."

Joe and Lucy Botulism survivors

	Botulism poison, which is also called toxin, attacks the nerves and makes muscles weak and difficult to move.  This is called paralysis.  The paralysis starts with the head and moves down to the arms and legs.
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Because botulism poison causes paralysis, there can be problems with: Seeing Speaking Swallowing Breathing

If patient's breathing muscles stop working, they will need a
breathing machine and will be hospitalized for weeks or months,
or they could die.

	Blurry vision
	Double vision
	Drooping eyelids
	Dry mouth
	Trouble swallowing
	Slurred speech
	Trouble breathing
	Muscle weakness on both sides of the body, starting at the head and going down to the shoulders, arms, hands, then down to the legs and feet

Many people also have Nausea Vomiting Stomach ache  Diarrhea Fever is not a symptom of botulism.

Prompt, quick medical attention can save somebodys life. The sooner people seek medical care, the sooner the botulism disease can be diagnosed and treated. 

"The reason for seeing the  health aide early on in the  symptom process is because she will make a determination  whether its likely you have  botulism. There are some  medications that can be given that will slow or stop the progression of the toxin in your body."

Dan O'Connell, MD Physician, Kanakanak Hospital Dillingham, Alaska

In the past, about 5 people each year would get botulism. But since about 1985, the number of cases each year has increased. There are probably a number of reasons for this increase. First, doctors and other health care providers may be better at recognizing the symptoms of botulism, so we may be finding more people with mild cases that were not recognized in the past.

A second reason for the increased number of botulism cases is that people are now using plastic or glass containers more often to ferment foods. These types of containers do not allow air to circulate and create an ideal situation for the botulism germs to make their poison. Because there are more people using plastic or glass containers to prepare fermented foods, there may be more people getting sick with botulism.

Botulism makes muscles weak and difficult to move. The paralysis starts at the head and moves down to the arms and legs, which causes problems with seeing, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Many people also have nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, or diarrhea. The earlier you recognize the symptoms, and the earlier you receive medical treatment, the better your chances of surviving this deadly disease.