Botulism: meaning, definitions and examples
๐คข
botulism
[หbษt.jส.lษช.zษm ]
Definition
food poisoning
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxin affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. It is primarily associated with improperly canned or preserved foods. There are three main types of botulism: foodborne, wound, and infant botulism. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, double vision, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure if not treated promptly.
Synonyms
nerve toxin infection, toxin poisoning.
Examples of usage
- The outbreak of botulism was traced back to homemade canned goods.
- Infant botulism is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old.
- Wound botulism can occur after injecting illicit drugs.
- Early recognition of botulism symptoms is crucial for effective treatment.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'botulism' comes from the Latin 'botulus,' which means sausage, as the illness was first linked to improperly canned sausages.
- In 1895, a German scientist named Emile van Ermengem discovered the bacteria responsible for the disease after an outbreak in Belgium.
Health and Safety
- Botulism is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is one of the most powerful toxins known.
- There are several types of botulism: foodborne, wound, and infant botulism, each with different causes and symptoms.
- Foodborne botulism often occurs in home-canned foods that are not processed properly, making safe canning practices crucial.
Prevention
- Boiling food for at least 10 minutes effectively destroys the botulinum toxin, making it safe to eat.
- Commercial food manufacturers must follow strict guidelines to prevent botulism contamination in their products.
Symptoms and Treatment
- Symptoms of botulism include muscle weakness, blurred vision, and difficulty swallowing or breathing, and they usually appear 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food.
- Immediate medical treatment with antitoxin can significantly reduce the severity of the illness if administered early.
Cultural References
- Botulism has been featured in popular media, often depicted as a mysterious illness, which highlights its dangerous nature.
- Awareness campaigns sometimes use botulism as an example of food safety issues to educate the public on proper food handling.
Translations
Translations of the word "botulism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น botulismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเฅเคเฅเคฒเคฟเคเคผเฅเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Botulismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ botulisme
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะพััะปัะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ botulizm
๐ฏ๐ต ใใใชใใน็
๐ซ๐ท botulisme
๐ช๐ธ botulismo
๐น๐ท botulizm
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ณดํด๋ฆฌ๋์ค ์ค๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูุชุณู ู ุงููุดููู
๐จ๐ฟ botulismus
๐ธ๐ฐ botulizmus
๐จ๐ณ ่ๆฏไธญๆฏ
๐ธ๐ฎ botulizem
๐ฎ๐ธ botulismi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะพััะปะธะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแฃแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ botulizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ botulismo
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #28,278, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
- ...
- 28275 humped
- 28276 embossing
- 28277 agglomerate
- 28278 botulism
- 28279 expunge
- 28280 rollicking
- 28281 cohere
- ...