Botulism is a rare but serious disease caused by a toxin (poison) thatis made by bacteria called clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum). This botulinum toxin attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis
A person with botulism might not have all of these symptoms at the same time. Botulism can also weaken the muscles that control breathing. Without medical care, botulism can lead to death.
Babies younger than 15 months old can get infant botulism and may appear tired, show little facial expression, have a weak cry or poor head control, and appear “floppy” because they can’t control their muscles.
Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/botulism.aspx
Bacteria called clostridium botulinum make spores, which are dormant (or inactive) cells resistant to extreme conditions (such as hot temperatures). C. botulinum spores are common in the environment, including in the soil and dust. Most of the time, C. botulism spores do not make people sick. But under certain conditions (especially in low-oxygen, low-acid, and low-sugar environments), the spores can grow and make the harmful botulinum toxin which causes paralysis. A person can get botulism in different ways. The different types of botulism are determined by how a person is infected:
1 ) Foodborne botulism is caused by eating or drinking something that is contaminated with the botulinum toxin.
2 ) Wound botulism is caused by C. botulinum spores getting into a wound or opening in the skin and making the botulinum toxin.
3 ) Infant botulism is caused by C. botulinum spores that get into an infant’s intestines, grow and make the botulinum toxin.
4 ) Adult intestinal toxemia (adult intestinal colonization) is similar to infant botulism and is caused by C. botulinum spores that get into an adult’s intestines and grow and make the toxin.
5 ) Iatrogenic botulism is caused by accidentally injecting too much botulinum toxin for cosmetic or medical reasons.
Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/botulism.aspx
Botulism differs from other flaccid paralyses in thatittypically manifests initially with prominent cranial nerve palsies.
It also differs in its:
Botulism is frequently misdiagnosed, most often as a polyradiculoneuropathy (Guillain-Barré or Miller-Fisher syndrome), myasthenia gravis, or otherdiseases of the central nervous system.
Source: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/botulism.aspx