What it is
It is a medical emergency. Treatment in hospital with antitoxin and support for breathing saves lives, and most people recover fully, though recovery can take weeks or months.
Babies under 12 months should not be given honey. Home-canned and preserved foods should be prepared carefully.
Common signs
- Drooping eyelids and blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech and difficulty swallowing
- Weakness that spreads downwards
- Difficulty breathing
- In babies: constipation, weak cry and floppiness
How it is usually diagnosed
- Diagnosis is based on symptoms; treatment starts before tests come back
- Blood, stool or food samples tested for the toxin
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Hospital discharge summary
- Test results
- Rehabilitation notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- Where did the toxin likely come from?
- Should anyone else who ate the same food be checked?
- What will recovery look like?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty swallowing or breathing, especially after eating home-preserved food: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.