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.

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