Botulism
Food poisoning is the result of your food becoming tainted due to unsafe handling and preparation. While most food-borne illnesses cause abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, one illness, botulism, is actually caused by a neurotoxin that can leave you with long-lasting health problems.
Scientists estimate that one gram of botulinum toxin could kill up to one million people. If your food has been improperly prepared or packaged, resulting in botulism, you should consult an attorney about your legal options. For more information, contact a Phoenix product liability lawyer from Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.C., today at 800-763-0964.
Symptoms of Botulinum Toxin
The botulinum neurotoxin is produced by a bacterium named Clostridium botulinum. Because the chemical produced by this bacteria works by destroying the acetylcholine receptors utilized in nerve-muscle connections, it renders you unable to contract your muscles.
Because of this, the symptoms of botulism are not like the normal signs of food poisoning. Botulism can cause:
- Blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Muscle weakness
- Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
- Loss of reflexes
Overall, these symptoms can last for months, if not years due to the severe damage done to the nerve-muscle connections. You may have to subsist on a breathing machine if you survive a bad bout of botulism, and you may still feel lethargic and short of breath for years after your sickness.
Contact Us
If your food has been mishandled or improperly prepared, botulism can leave you with long-lasting ill effects. For more information regarding food poisoning and product liability, contact a product liability attorney from Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.C., at 800-763-0964 today.