Diseases beginning with B
U.S.-focused summaries with current official guidance links. For a diagnosis, personal vaccine schedule, pregnancy advice, or urgent symptoms, speak with a qualified clinician.
Botulism
No vaccine availableDisease
A rare, life-threatening illness in which botulinum toxin attacks the nerves and can cause paralysis and breathing failure.
Symptoms
Blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle weakness, and descending paralysis. Infants may have constipation, poor feeding, a weak cry, and reduced muscle tone. Breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Typical duration
Neurologic symptoms can progress over hours to days. Recovery from paralysis may take weeks to months and can require prolonged rehabilitation or breathing support.
How serious is it?
All forms are medical emergencies and can be fatal. Anyone with compatible symptoms should go to an emergency department immediately; treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation.
Treatment & management
Botulinum antitoxin should be given as early as possible. Hospital care may include mechanical ventilation, wound treatment, and rehabilitation. Infant botulism is treated with botulism immune globulin (BabyBIG) after specialist consultation.
Vaccine: who and when?
No botulism vaccine is licensed for routine public use in the United States. Antitoxin and botulism immune globulin are treatments, not preventive vaccines.
Last reviewed against official U.S. sources: September 5, 2026. This page provides general education, not medical advice.
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