Infant botulism is a rare and serious illness that occurs in babies under age 1 when immature gut microbiomes allow ingestion of bacteria whose spores produce botulinum toxin in the intestine.
November 11, 2025
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medical
Definition and biological mechanism of infant botulism
Botox is a diluted, purified form of botulinum toxin, a highly toxic substance that works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and causing muscles to relax.
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medical
Definition and mechanism of action of Botox/botulinum toxin
FDA-approved botulinum toxin products carry a boxed warning that the medications can cause serious or life-threatening side effects; in rare cases the toxin can spread beyond the injection site and paralyze or weaken muscles needed for breathing and swallowing.
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regulatory
Regulatory safety labeling and rare systemic risk of botulinum toxin products
Signs of systemic botulism after botulinum toxin injection include difficulty swallowing or breathing, slurred speech, and muscle weakness, and these symptoms can occur several hours after an injection.
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medical
Clinical signs and timing of systemic botulism following injection