How is botulism treated?
Botulism is treated with antitoxin and supportive care. Infants are only treated with supportive care. • Antitoxin. • The antitoxin can keep you from getting more symptoms. It does not take away symptoms you already have. Caregivers may choose to give the antitoxin to everyone who ate a suspected food. They may also choose to watch you and wait to see if symptoms begin. • The antitoxin may cause allergy symptoms in some people. If you know you are sensitive or allergic to horse serum, tell your caregiver. They can give you medicine for your allergy before giving you the antitoxin. • Supportive care. How you are treated depends on how bad your symptoms are. Symptoms can range from almost none at all, to death within 24 hours. Severe symptoms are treated in the hospital in an ICU. Botulism can paralyze your body. You may not be able to move, but you will still feel. You may be put on a machine that helps you breathe for days, weeks, or months. You will be on the machine until you can bre
