What happened to Trinity after eating fermented swordfish?

Trinity contracted botulism after consuming homemade fermented swordfish, leading to severe difficulty swallowing and breathing, hospitalization, and rehabilitation.

What is botulism and how is it caused?

Botulism is an illness that can cause paralysis, particularly of breathing muscles, and is often caused by improperly preserved or fermented foods that create conditions for bacteria to thrive.

How many people got sick from the fermented swordfish?

Three out of the six people who sampled the homemade fermented swordfish dish developed botulism.

Home / Health / Cancer Survivor Battles Botulism After Trying Fermented Fish

Cancer Survivor Battles Botulism After Trying Fermented Fish

15 Mar

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Summary

Trinity, a two-time childhood cancer survivor, contracted botulism.
She fell ill after consuming homemade fermented swordfish last month.
Botulism can cause paralysis, affecting breathing muscles.

Cancer Survivor Battles Botulism After Trying Fermented Fish

A young woman named Trinity, who had previously survived two childhood battles with cancer, recently contracted botulism. The illness occurred after she consumed a friend's homemade fermented swordfish dish last month, which she described as tasting "horrible." Within days of eating the dish, Trinity experienced alarming symptoms, including severe difficulty swallowing and breathing, necessitating emergency medical care.

She was transferred to St. Joseph's Medical Center and Barrow Neurological Institute, where doctors diagnosed her with botulism. Trinity awoke in the hospital intubated and unable to move or speak, a frightening experience following her prior victories over cancer. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to be released soon.