Treatment of botulism

Treatment of botulism in children requires that they remain in a health centre. The medication used in treating botulism in children is known as Botulism Immune Globulin Human Intravenous simplified to BIG-IV or BabyBIG.

Botulism patients make use of a ventilator to solve the problem of respiratory breakdown. The ventilator aids one in breathing. A patient may be on it for several weeks during which he receives care and attention.

Wound and food-borne botulism could be treated through the injection of an antitoxin derived from horses. The process may stop the disease from progressing. However, it takes a while for recuperation to set in.

In cases where food polluted with the bacterium is ingested, a patient could be made to throw it up. Enemas could also be employed in promoting vomiting.

Botulism in food and wounds can be treated with Trivalent, an antitoxin for botulinum types A, B and E. It is derived from horses and produced with complete antibodies.

Secondly, is the drug called heptavalent which takes fights against the types A, B, C, D, E, F, and G form of botulism. This antitoxin works against all strains of botulism.

Other common drugs used in treating the disease include penicillin G potassium Inj, penicillin G sodium Inj, Pfizerpen-G Inj and penicillin G pot in dextrose IV.

Nutrition cannot be left out when considering sources of treatment for botulism. Since botulism is a form of food poisoning, a patient may practice the following means of treatment.

In order to prevent dehydration he must take in a lot of fluids. Barley or rice water can also be taken in to relieve one of stomach inflammation. Drugs such as lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus bulgaricus promote the availability of the rightful bacteria in the intestine.

It is necessary that one takes along these drugs known as probiotics along with him should he plan on visiting an unhealthy environment.

 Apple cider vinegar is a historical ingredient that has claims of possessing antimicrobial characteristics. A continual intake of a double cup of it mixed with warm water could help rid the body of harmful bacteria.

Research has shown that fish oil contains lots of bacteria as compared to soy bean oil. Thus, patients of botulism must desist from taking foods prepared with this type of oil.

Herbs that may help in treating botulism are Asian ginseng which is officially known as panax gingseng, ginger root with the botanical name Astragulus membranaceus, licorice known officially as Glycyrrhiza glabra, peony root as paeonia officinalis and skullcap known as Scutellaria lateriflora. For the dosage of these herbs, one must see a medical-approved herbalist or a physician of traditional Chinese medicine.

Some herbs that have undergone testing by health experts yet are unsafe to utilize due to lack of the evidence of antibacterial properties are Bitter vine known as Mikania micrantha, Goldenseal known as Hydrastis Canadensis, Oregon grape known as Mahonia aquifolium and Chamomile whose botanical name is Matricaria recutita as well as barberry, berberis vulgaris.