Actor Sonam Kapoor was both appreciated and trolled recently when, in an interview, she narrated how she argued while advocating against giving honey as the first food to her son.
“I have read books that say, you cannot give your kid honey because it causes botulism, which is a disease that a child can get because honey has a specific bacteria.”
Dr Gopikrishna, a paediatrician from Bengaluru, says, “Botulism is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.”
“Botulinum toxin causes weakness and loss of muscle tone because it blocks the nerve ending’s ability to signal the linked muscle to contract,” Dr Asha Benakappa explains.
Renowned paediatrician Dr Selvan R explains that honey-giving is celebrated like a ceremony in many places and cultures. “It is best to not practice it and must not be encouraged.”
Treatment typically involves administering an antitoxin to neutralise the botulinum toxin, along with assisted breathing and monitoring, although recovery may take months.