What to know
- Most people will go through their entire lives without getting botulism.
- Certain actions can increase your risk of getting botulism.
Behaviors that can increase risk
Botulism is a rare, but serious disease. Most people will go through their entire lives without getting botulism. Certain actions can increase your risk of getting botulism.
Injecting illicit drugs
Injecting certain drugs, such as black tar heroin, can increase your chances of getting wound botulism.
Drinking pruno
Drinking certain kinds of homemade alcohol, such as “pruno” or “hooch” made in prisons, can increase your chance of getting foodborne botulism.
Eating contaminated food
Eating improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods also increases your chance of getting foodborne botulism. Foods commonly linked to botulism include home-canned foods and Alaska Native foods.
Being injected with too much toxin
Being injected with a dose of botulinum toxin that is too high increases your risk for iatrogenic botulism.
Some people who get botulinum toxin injections for medical or cosmetic reasons are at increased risk. These people include
- Children
- People who weigh less than a typical adult
- People who have an underlying problem with their nerves or muscles