May also be called: Botulism Botulism (BAH-chu-lih-zum) is a rare but serious illness caused by poisons produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Wound botulism is caused by the bacteria infecting a wound. This is most commonly associated with the use of injected illegal drugs like heroin. More to Know Clostridium botulinum is a naturally occurring bacterium that can be found in soil and dust. When C. botulinum infects a person, it produces toxins (poisons) that cause nerves to function abnormally, leading to weakness and paralysis. Symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. In infants, symptoms include constipation, a flat facial expression, poor feeding, a weak cry, decreased movement, trouble swallowing, excessive drooling, muscle weakness, and breathing problems. If not treated, botulism can cause respiratory failure, paralysis, and death. Botulism is usually treated in a hospital with an antitoxin that blocks the toxins produced by the bacteria. In some cases, ventilators may be used to help with breathing. Keep in Mind Botulism can be fatal, so anyone who shows signs of the disease should receive immediate medical attention. Fortunately, botulism is extremely rare, with about 145 cases reported in the United States each year. With proper treatment, most people recover fully from botulism, but this can take several weeks or months. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles A to Z: Botulism Learn about bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, and conditions that affect the nervous system. Read More Drugs: What Parents Need to Know Knowing what drugs are out there, what they can do, and how they can affect someone is the first step in raising drug-free kids. Read More Dealing With Cuts Find out how to handle minor cuts at home - and when to get medical care for a more serious injury. Read More Cellulitis Cellulitis is a skin infection that involves areas of tissue just below the skin's surface. It can affect any part of the body, but it's most common on exposed areas, such as the face, arms, or lower legs. Read More Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis is a bone infection that can happen when germs enter an open wound. The easiest way to prevent it is to keep skin clean. Read More Osteomyelitis Sometimes a bad cut that gets infected can lead to even worse things, like a bone infection called osteomyelitis. The easiest way to protect yourself is to practice good hygiene. Read More A to Z: Botulism, Foodborne Learn about bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, and conditions that affect the nervous system. Read More A to Z: Botulism, Infant Learn about bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, and conditions that affect the nervous system. Read More Wound Healing and Care How well a wound heals depends on where it is on the body and what caused it – as well as how well someone cares for the wound at home. Find out what to do in this article for teens. Read More Infant Botulism Infant botulism can happen if a baby ingests bacteria that make toxins inside the body. Treatment can help a baby who gets it recover fully. Read More Cellulitis Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. It begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut or scratch. Read More Staph Infections When skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. But good hygiene can prevent many staph infections. Learn more. Read More Drugs: What to Know It's not hard to find drugs, and sometimes it may seem like everyone's doing them or wanting you to do them. But there are downsides (and dangers) to taking drugs. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.