Symptoms can begin 3 to 30 days after the spores are swallowed.
The first symptom is constipation lasting 3 days or more.
This can be followed by:
Later symptoms include:
These symptoms can develop over about a week.
Infant botulism is a very rare condition. Constipation and poor feeding in babies will almost certainly have another cause, but medical advice should always be sought for these symptoms.
If you are concerned that your child might have infant botulism please see your family doctor or after hours medical centre urgently, or go to your local emergency department.
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you are not sure what to do.
This page last reviewed 30 November 2021.
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