What to do with Botulism: Treatment

Once it is suspected someone has botulism, it is important to seek medical attention or else it can be fatal. The sooner the antitoxin can be delivered, the more effective it can be by preventing damage to the nerve endings. This antitoxin is derived from horse serum and induces passive immunity to the toxin.

Another major complication with botulism is the difficulty breathing. Victims with severe botulism require respiratory support so that they do not suffocate.

Treatment	Procedures	Efficacy
Antitoxin "Equine"	Delivered intravenously (10ml) Derived from horse serum Attaches to the botulin toxin that has not attached to nerve endings/inactivates toxin	Cannot reverse existing damage Administered as soon as possible (minimize damage from circulation of toxin)
Respiratory Support	Mechanical ventilator that forces air into the lungs through a tube (nose or mouth)	Severe cases of botulism are especially life-threatening when the respiratory system is compromised Required in 20% of infected adults

The antitoxin is available from the Centers for Disease Control and some local health departments. No serious adverse effects have been reported, even from children, immune-compromised, and pregnant women. Common side effects of the antitoxin are serum sickness, urticaria (welts), hypersensitivity, and anaphylaxis.

Sources: 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/botulism/DS00657/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

http://www.siumed.edu/medicine/id/current_issues/BotulismPPT.pdf