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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffFor cases of food-borne botulism, doctors sometimes clear out the digestive system by inducing vomiting and giving medications to induce bowel movements. If you have botulism in a wound, a doctor may need to remove infected tissue surgically.
Antitoxin
If you're diagnosed early with food-borne or wound botulism, injected antitoxin reduces your chances of complications. The antitoxin attaches itself to toxin that's still circulating in your bloodstream and keeps it from harming your nerves.
Antitoxin is not, however, recommended for cases of infant botulism, since it doesn't affect the disease-causing germs in the baby's digestive system. A treatment called botulism immune globulin has been investigated to treat infants. It appears effective in reducing the duration and severity of the illness.
Breathing assistance
If you're having trouble breathing, you will probably need a mechanical ventilator. The ventilator forces air into your lungs through a tube inserted in your airway through your nose or mouth. You may remain on the ventilator for up to several weeks as the effects of the toxin gradually lessen.
Rehabilitation
You may also require therapy to improve your speech, swallowing and other functions affected by the disease.
