Botulism/Physical Examination
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Overview
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Botulism Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Botulism/Physical Examination On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Botulism/Physical Examination |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Botulism/Physical Examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Michael Maddaleni, B.S.
Overview
Botulism physical examination is very important in order to suggest or exclude the disease. The patients with botulism appear dizzy and tired. The following signs are observed in the botulism patients: eyelid dropping, weakness of tongue muscle, nystagmus and decreased gag reflex. Paralytic ileus also may present. Botulism presentation shows many neurological manifestations like: generalized muscle weakness, abscent tendon reflexes, facial nerve impairment and speech impairment.[1][2]
Physical Examination
Botulism physical examination is similar in both adults and infants. However, it is more severe in the infants and floppy baby syndrome is observed.[3]
| Physical examination | Adult botulism | Infantile botulism |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance of the patient | Patients of botulism may appear lethargic and dizzy. | Infants appear pale with less crying and unable to eat. |
| Vital signs | Botulism patients have normal vital signs. | Unstable blood pressure and heart rate.[2] |
| Skin | In wound botulism, the following may be observed:
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Pale skin with bruises and signs of penetrating trauma. |
| HEENT |
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| Abdome | Paralytic ileus: Decreased or absent bowel sounds (Foodborne botulism) | |
| Lungs | Bradypnea due to respiratory muscle paralysis | |
| Cardiovascular |
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| Neuromuscular |
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| Extremities | Weakness of lower and upper extremities | |
Gallery
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![Six week old infant with botulism. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [4]](/images/1/17/Botulism17.png)
Six week old infant with botulism. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [4]
![Six week old infant with botulism. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [4]](/index.php/File:Botulism17.png)
References
- ↑ Hughes JM, Blumenthal JR, Merson MH, Lombard GL, Dowell VR, Gangarosa EJ (1981). "Clinical features of types A and B food-borne botulism". Ann Intern Med. 95 (4): 442–5. PMID 7283294.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fenicia L, Anniballi F (2009). "Infant botulism". Ann Ist Super Sanita. 45 (2): 134–46. PMID 19636165.
- ↑ Midura TF (1996). "Update: infant botulism". Clin Microbiol Rev. 9 (2): 119–25. PMC 172885. PMID 8964030.
- ↑ "Public Health Image Library (PHIL)".
Related Pages
- Signs Detected:
- Drug Interactions:
- Used To Diagnose:Used To Diagnose::Botulism
- Uses Device:
Botulism can be categorized based on the route of transmission. The Clostridium botulinun bacteria can be transmitted through food, by inhalation, and in a wound.
Physical exam
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. There may be signs of:
- Absent or decreased gag reflex
- Loss of muscle function/feeling
Blood tests can be done to identify the toxin. A stool culture may also be ordered. Lab tests can be done on the suspected food to confirm botulism.
Foodborne Botulism
In a clinical setting, acute gastrointestinal symptoms associated with problematic neurological symptoms could be a strong sign of botulism. Within approximately 12 to 36 hours following the consumption of food contaminated by botulism, symptoms will appear. There is a great variety in how severe the symptoms will be, but it should be noted that it is possible fordeath to occur within 24 hours. An incubation of approximately 18 to 36 hours is common for the toxin, and depending on the dose, the incubation period can be anywhere from 2 hours to 8 days. The known symptoms can take several days to develop or they can be very abrupt.