What is botulism

Options

A. Bottle fermentation
B. Skin disease
C. Canned food poisoning
D. Plant disease

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Botulism**:
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium *Clostridium botulinum*. This toxin affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis.

2. **Causes of Botulism**:
The primary cause of botulism is the ingestion of food containing the botulinum toxin. This often occurs in improperly canned or preserved foods, particularly low-acid vegetables.

3. **Types of Botulism**:
There are several forms of botulism, including:
- Foodborne botulism: Caused by eating foods that contain the toxin.
- Wound botulism: Occurs when the bacteria enter the body through a wound.
- Infant botulism: Affects infants who ingest spores of the bacteria, which then grow in their intestines.
- Adult intestinal colonization botulism: Similar to infant botulism but occurs in adults with certain gastrointestinal conditions.

4. **Symptoms of Botulism**:
Symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty swallowing, and muscle paralysis. If untreated, botulism can be fatal.

5. **Prevention**:
Proper food preservation techniques, such as canning food at the right temperature and acidity levels, can help prevent botulism. It is also important to avoid giving honey to infants under one year old, as it can contain botulinum spores.

6. **Conclusion**:
In summary, botulism is a serious foodborne illness caused by a toxin from *Clostridium botulinum*, commonly associated with improperly processed foods.