botulism
Paralytic food poisoning
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by toxins from the bacterium *Clostridium botulinum*.
The toxin attacks the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis that can be fatal if it reaches the muscles controlling breathing.
Most cases come from improperly preserved food, especially home-canned goods: The outbreak was traced to botulism in canned green beans.
Infant botulism, contracted from bacterial spores, is why honey isn't given to babies under one year old.
Loss of muscle function
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- descendingMoving downward
- flaccidSoft, lacking firmness
- bilateralInvolving two parties
ptosis · diplopia · dysphagia · dysarthria · fatigue
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- endosporesDormant bacterial survival structures
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
incubation · pathogen · soil-dwelling · microorganism · bacillus · antitoxin · microbiology · laboratory
Airtight food preservation
- preservedKept from deterioration
- fermentedTransformed by microbial action
- vacuum-packedSealed without air
- smokedExposed to wood fumes
contamination · outbreak · spoiled · honey · pH · preservatives · recall · food-safety
Toxin-neutralizing antibody
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- intensive-careAcute medical monitoring unit
- hospitalizationFormal entry into medical care
- intubationPlacing airway tube
Spread via consumed items
- infantVery young child
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- iatrogenicCaused by medical care
- inhalationalAdministered via breathing
Cosmetic paralytic injection
- injectionsSyringe-administered doses
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- cosmeticSurface-level appearance enhancer
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
anti-aging · neuromodulator · crow's-feet · aesthetic · reconstituted · units · dilution · off-label
- weaponizedMade into a threat
- CDCU.S. public health agency
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- detectionAct of finding something
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- descendingMoving downward
- flaccidSoft, lacking firmness
bilateral · ptosis · diplopia · dysphagia · dysarthria · fatigue
Clostridium
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- endosporesDormant bacterial survival structures
germination · incubation · pathogen · soil-dwelling · microorganism · bacillus · antitoxin · microbiology · laboratory · cultivation
canning
Airtight food preservation
- preservedKept from deterioration
- fermentedTransformed by microbial action
- vacuum-packedSealed without air
smoked · contamination · outbreak · spoiled · honey · pH · preservatives · recall · food-safety
antitoxin
Toxin-neutralizing antibody
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
- intensive-careAcute medical monitoring unit
- hospitalizationFormal entry into medical care
intubation · immunoglobulin · recovery · rehabilitation · tracheostomy
foodborne
Spread via consumed items
- infantVery young child
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- iatrogenicCaused by medical care
Botox
Cosmetic paralytic injection
- injectionsSyringe-administered doses
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- cosmeticSurface-level appearance enhancer
dermatology · anti-aging · neuromodulator · crow's-feet · aesthetic · reconstituted · units · dilution · off-label
aerosolized
- weaponizedMade into a threat
- CDCU.S. public health agency
- terrorismIntimidation through targeted violence
- poultry healthavian flu, bird flu, respiratory infection, respiratory disease, mites
- diseasescancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, influenza, measles
- infectionsviral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, parasitic infection, bacteremia
- Deadly Diseasesrabies, smallpox, bubonic plague, cholera, anthrax
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- bacterial infectionsanthrax, cholera, diphtheria, lockjaw, tetanus
botulismhealth
Condition of body, mind
wellness · vitality · immunity · well-being · recovery
botulismfood safety
Illness prevention through handling
fresh food · pasteurization · food hygiene · safe food · freshness