Saturday 14 April 2012

A case of infant botulism from honey dipped pacifier

A baby Scotland 16 weeks is treated for botyliasis (intestinal) in a hospital in Edinburgh. Reports say baby got the infant form of intoxication by sucking on a dummy (pacifier) in honey.


The boy is in critical but stable condition.


In the USA, there are about 100 cases reported annually botyliasis. It is the most common form of botulism. Infects children under 12 months of age, with most cases in infants 6 weeks 6 months.


Unlike food borne botulism, when a person ingests prodiamorfwmena toxin in foods, infant ingests the spores of the bacteria in food stuffs such as honey. The spores germinate in the intestine where producing bacteria which in turn reproduce and release toxin.


Bacteria may colonize the infant intestines, because normal gut bacteria that would compete with botulism bacteria are not fully installed.


Honey can contain spores (Clostridium botulinum), infants under 1 year old should be fed not honey.


Symptoms in the infant to start as constipation, weakness, poor suck and loss of head control. This can range from mild illness in sudden infant death. Disease is usually more severe in infants aged less than 2 months.


Some studies suggest that infant botulism can cause an estimated 5 percent of cases of sudden death (SIDS).


Intestinal Botulism occurs rarely in older children and adults.


According to the information botyliasis is quite rare in England with only six reported cases since 1976.

Saturday 7 April 2012

Avoid risks of food poisoning

If you've ever had food poisoning, for sure you are very careful what you put in your mouth. There are some nasties that can take you further and stronger than humans. It is the most common bacteria that causes food poisoning:


Salmonella (from raw eggs, poultry and vegetables contaminated) Staphylococcus aureus (usually exists in the nose and can spread the hands) Campylobacter jejuni (from poultry, beef, unpasteurized milk, insects and untreated water) E-coli (from meat or vegetables which have been in contact with baterium) (Clostridium botulinum) (bacteria that causes botulism usually home-canned foods, especially beans and tomatoes)


May not be your last meal


Typically, when a person gets food poisoning, they immediately from the last meal you ate. However, bacteria can sometimes take several minutes to multiply enough to make you sick, and some are more resistant. Can be two to three days after eating contaminated food, until you start having symptoms.


However, if there is already a lot of bacteria in a food when you eat, the stomach may react with vomiting to remove the poison within a short period of time.


Take these precautions when defining food


Be sure to wash your hands often, utensils and cooking surfaces. Use warm, soapy water to Wash your hands before and after handling food or preparation. Use warm, soapy water water to wash their utensils, surfaces including cutting boards and tuner. Safety starts when your purchases. Always make sure you keep raw meat separate from fresh fruits or vegetables. This will prevent cross-contamination. Make sure you can refrigerate or freeze food purchased within two hours. If the temperature is above 90 degrees in one hour.


Leftover food should be refrigerated as soon as possible and must be used within two days. If you are in doubt, throw away Defrost food properly. You can run cold water over food can thaw it, the thaw in the refrigerator or defrost in the microwave portion to 50 percent. Do not thaw at room temperature. Be sure to cook food at a sufficiently high temperature (between 145-165 F F). To be sure to purchase a food thermometer. Do not eat Uncooked meats, hotdogs or deli lunch Wash off all sprouts (soya, alfalfa, radish, clover) Do not eat raw cookie dough, dough cake or anything with raw eggs.


Food poisoning can be threatening to those weakened immune system. This could include the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases.


Cooking with raw eggs


The US Food and Drug Administration recently held (2009) that those who sell eggs received certain preventive measures during production, storage and transport to prevent salmonella poisoning. Make sure you buy eggs are Graded (preferably grade A) pasteurized and have no cracks or other deformities. Bacteria can enter the egg with a crack, even if it has been as good.


Salmonella poisoning can make you very sick. This can cause long-term disabling conditions and even fatal. Chronic arthritis, renal insufficiency, paralysis, seizures and mental disabilities have been linked to this toxic poisoning.


Certain foods, such as mayonnaise and Hollandaise Sauce on Vegan sauce made with raw eggs. It is important to refrigerate them and avoid the consumption of food leftover that use these products.


Symptoms of food poisoning


According to the Mayo Clinic, all foods contain a small amount of bacteria. However, if food is handled incorrectly, not cooked long enough or weren't safely, bacteria will multiply and can cause illness.


General symptoms include:


Nausea Diarrhoea Gut pain Vomiting Dehydration


If the poisoning is especially bad could experience


Rapid heartbeat Fainting or lightheadedness


What to do if you have food poisoning?


Keep hydrated Balance Do not take anti-diarrheal medication as your body needs to get rid of the poison


If you are ill for more than 48 hours, or bloody stools develop:


Get emergency medical help Call 911 if you feel weak and faint


If you suspect botulism, seek immediate medical assistance provision. Symptoms of botulism include:


Headache Blurry vision Muscular weakness Paralysis Difficulty breathing Dry mouth

Saturday 31 March 2012

Bacterial food poisoning


The feeling of a cavernous stomach followed by nausea, vomiting, cramping and diarrhea, hours after a scrumptious meal is unfortunately all too often. This type of illness is brought on food and is referred to as food poisoning. While this is a common condition and is usually a fairly mild food poisoning may, in certain cases, lead to serious illness and even death.

The types of bacteria found on foods

Poisoning occurs when consumed, were not properly stored, prepared or cooked food. There is no blunder-proof way to detect if bacteria in foods, so you should take extreme vigilance in relation to the preparation.  Poisoning can occur when it is cooked food at home, or from friends and family or may happen in any restaurant. Even fine dining establishments charge a large amount of money for each dish eventually serve food with bacteria.

There are several types of bacteria that cause food poisoning. Some of the largest bacterial offenders are:

E-Coli bacteria o-this is probably the most common source of poisoning. E-Coli physically resides in the lower intestines of healthy people and animals but can cause disease when transported meat or vegetables and ingestion. Washing and cooking food thoroughly will kill this bacteria.

o disease botulism-causing bacteria after a Clostridium botulinum produces called Botulin toxin. Botulism in canned foods is often and can only be destroyed at high temperatures. If ever a can be seen bulging with air can contain Botulin. Cooking food at high temperatures it is very important to keep Botulism in the Gulf is very important.

o salmonella bacteria-this is generally in meat, eggs and egg-containing products and seafood. As with the other mentioned previously causes of salmonella poisoning, can only be killed at high temperatures. So eat raw food such as sushi or cookie dough may increase the likely hood of acquiring salmonella. Unlike the other bacteria mentioned, salmonella can have long-term effects. In some cases, salmonella disappears completely from the House ever.

Campylobacter bacteria-o is in undercooked or raw meat and poultry, unpasteurized milk and untreated water.

Food poisoning is usually neglect of the person preparing the food. It is not difficult to avoid poisonous bacteria, if all food cooked correctly. If a restaurant serves undercooked food leading to poisoning and properly did not warn visitors about the risks associated with raw food before the order, they may be held liable for losses.

To learn more about bacterial food poisoning, visit the Des Moines area lawyers.







Saturday 24 March 2012

Botulism information

Botulism is an infection that can be potentially fatal and is caused by a certain bacteria known as (clostridium botulinum). The toxins produced by clostridium botulinum is, according to science, one of the most powerful toxins that occur naturally.


They are known to attack our central nervous system and cause of the paralysis. If the condition is left untreated in paralysis can cause serious breathing problems and even death due to lung infection usually. There are three direct ways that a human can contract botulism. Food contaminated with bacteria as a result of food packed mistakenly is the most common cause.


Fortunately, botulism is a very rare condition, and there were only about 30 accounts foodborne Botulism in the United Kingdom over the past 25 years. Approximately 80 percent of the number also were linked to the same source. Although the disease is thought of as a rarity, since 2002 has been a sharp increase in the number of patients infected with botulism, which then led to two deaths.


Wound Botulism occurs when you open sores or wounds become infected. Use of intravenous drug such as heroin and cocaine have also been known to cause the condition. The influx of botulism cases has been reported that an immediate response to the growing problem with drugs in the United Kingdom. If treatment is sought the immediate outlook for patients who are often good.

Saturday 17 March 2012

Botulism recall-what you should know

Although most foodborne illness called "food poisoning" from the common man, more sickness caused by food poisoning, not per se, but treat bacterial infections that are ingested by eating food affected. However, there has been recent reports of an outbreak of food poisoning in good faith. Four victims were sickened with suspected botulism after recruiting hot dog sauce toxin thought to contain. 10-ounce cans of Castleberry's brands, Austex and Kroger hot dog sauce's best by dates from April 30, 2009, through May 22, 2009 suspected to be affected, according to the food and drug administration.


It is extremely rare for commercially canned a product containing botulinum, which is so lethal that a drop of pure toxin can kill 20 people. Centers for disease control and prevention medical epidemiologist Dr. Michael Lynch said the last such case dates of USA in the 1970s. Lynch about 25 cases reported each year in the CDC usually involved home-canned foods, he said.


Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by bacteria (Clostridium botulinum). There are three types of foodborne botulism: botulism, botulism and botyliasis. From the CDC website:



(Clostridium botulinum) is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. They grow best in an environment of low oxygen. Bacteria form spores which allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their development. There are seven types of botulinum designated by the letters a to g, only types a, b, e and f cause disease in humans.


Approximately 110 cases of botulism in the United States escalating; there are every year. Of these, only 25% is foodborne. Food borne botulism usually results from incorrect home canned foods, especially foods with a lower concentration of acid in such as asparagus, green beans, beets and corn. Higher acidity in foods can help prevent food-borne infections and toxins.


Botulism can be avoided. Home canners must always follow strict hygiene procedures to reduce the contamination of foodstuffs. If any questions about the initial home canners, canning processes should take directions for safe canning from County extension offices or the u.s. Department of Agriculture. Oils should be cooled with garlic or herbs. Potatoes have been baked while wrapped in aluminum foil, must be kept hot until served or refrigerated. Because the botulinum destroyed by high temperatures, persons eating home-canned foods should consider boiling food for 10 minutes before eating to ensure that it is safe.


Honey can contain spores (Clostridium botulinum), and toxin is known as a source of infection for infants. Therefore, children under the age of 12 months should not be fed honey. Honey is safe for people aged 12 months or more. Botulism can be prevented from seeking immediate medical care in contaminated wounds and using street drugs are injectable.


Foodborne botulism is most commonly found in foods that have been preserved. Therefore, it is important not only to consider home canners food safety high, but that most commercial boxes that seriously harmed the bulging, image, or severely rusted, discarded and is not used. If there is suspicion of foodborne illness, a person should seek medical care immediately. From the CDC website:



The classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscular weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, is constipated, and a weak cry and poor muscle tone. These are all symptoms of the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, can cause paralysis of the arms, legs, torso and respiratory muscles progress of these symptoms. Foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin between 18 and 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but can occur as early as 6 hours or within 10 days.


Respiratory failure and paralysis that occur with severe botulism may require a patient to a breathing machine (ventilator) for weeks, plus intensive medical and nursing care. After several weeks, the paralysis slowly improves. If diagnosed early, foodborne and wound botulism can be treated with a antitoxini that blocks the action of toxins circulating in the blood. This can prevent patients from worsening, but recovery still takes several weeks. Doctors try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting or by using enemas. Wounds should be treated, usually products to remove the source of bacterial toxins. Good supportive care in a hospital is the mainstay of treatment for all forms of botulism. Currently, antitoxini is given regularly for treatment of botyliasis.

Saturday 10 March 2012

Botulism symptoms and what to do when you see the signs


Botulism is a grave and serious form of food poisoning that is toxic to the nervous system. Symptoms will occur within a few days of intake of the toxin. If you notice any of these symptoms, you will need to be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible in order to avoid life-threatening complications.

Botulism symptoms

Symptoms of botulism can include any combination of the following:

weakness
fatigue
blurred or double vision
drooping is yet another
dry mouth
sore throat
his speech slurred
difficulty swallowing
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
Infants may present with a weak cry, and inability to suck.

What causes botulism?

This serious form of food poisoning caused by ingesting food contaminated by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can grow in improperly canned or raw or preserved foods, especially meats (ham and sausage), or in certain vegetables (beans).

Bacteria will be destroyed if the food is cooked in 176 F (80 ° C) for 30 minutes or boiled in 212 F (100 C) for 10 minutes. Raw honey should not be given to infants under 1 year old, because they could cause botulism.

Diagnosis and treatment for botulism

Diagnosis of botulism first comes from the observation of the aforementioned symptoms. Botulism symptoms are noticed when it is critical that you contact your healthcare facilities for assessment by a doctor as this condition can be fatal if not treated properly. The medical assessment should include a discussion as to the probable source of the toxin, an investigation into what the person has consumed over the past few days. In addition to a physical examination, blood tests may be used to make a full diagnosis.

When it comes to treatment, early diagnosis and treatment with antitoxini it is very important. An outbreak of botulism is a public health emergency and the local Health Department should be notified if discovered the source of botulism contamination can be brought under control. Hospitalization may be necessary depending on the extent of the symptoms.







Saturday 3 March 2012

Botulism-beware of Grandmas Home-canned beans

Every year in the United States there are approximately 150 cases of botulism in approximately 25 the special caused by contaminated food stuffs. Food-borne botulism is a serious intoxication caused by eating the prodiamorfwmena toxin present in contaminated food.


Food-borne Botulism occurs when the bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) are allowed to grow and produce toxin in food later eaten without adequate heating or cooking for the inactivation of the toxin. Botulinum is one of the strongest known neurotoxins.


This anaerobic bacteria growth and Toxin formation tend to occur in products with low acidity and oxygen content and low salt and sugar content. Inadequate treatment, home-canned foods typically have, such as asparagus, green beans, mixed beets and corn. However, there have been outbreaks of botulism from more unusual sources such as oil, chopped garlic, peppers, potatoes cooked properly handle wrapped in aluminium foil and home-canned or fermented fish. Garden foods such as tomatoes, which used to be considered too acidic for growth (Clostridium botulinum), now considered a potentially hazardous foods at home canning. Although most common in home-canned foods, this happens only occasionally in commercially prepared foods.


The most common type of botulism in the United States is botyliasis, representing approximately 65% of the total cases of botulism. This disease affects children under the age of twelve months. The infant ingests the spores of the bacteria in food stuffs such as honey. The spores germinate in the intestine where producing bacteria which in turn reproduce and release toxin. Honey can contain spores (Clostridium botulinum), infants under 1 year old should be fed not honey.


Usually in a few hours to several days after eating contaminated food will start to show the classic symptoms. blurry vision, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. Gastrointestinal symptoms may or may not occur. If untreated, the paralysis is always through the body, starting from the shoulders and work its way out. The most serious complication is respiratory failure of botulism toxin which is fatal in up to 10% of people. It may take months before the recovery is complete.


If the disease is detected early enough it can be treated with antitoxini. If respiratory paralysis occurs and the person may fail to be on a ventilator for several weeks.


What you can do to prevent this horrible food borne illness


o follow strict hygiene steps when canning food at home.
o Refrigerate oils containing garlic or herbs.
o Keep oven potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil must be kept hot until served or refrigerated.
o consider boiling home-canned foods for 10 minutes before being eaten to inactivate any toxin lurking in foodstuffs.
o discard any boxes are damaged or proagwgeas or any abnormal smelling preserved foods. No taste test or even attempt to boil, exactly what we do.


Home canning and preserving food is an old tradition in America and the country. Some caution and common sense steps can prevent this powerful Toxin from invading your canned products.