Reference no: EM131874700

Sharon's 3 month old infant, Charlie, has been acting ill over the last couple days. He has had excessive drooling, constipation, and some difficulty breathing. Sharon thought that he might have a touch of a stomach virus or teething. When Charlie begins to exhibit issues with breathing she brings him to the emergency room. The ER physician asks Sharon if Charlie has been exposed to any toxins or household products. She also asks what Charlie's eating habits over the last week. Sharon explains that he is not mobile, and he has not been exposed to anything that she is aware of. She has been bottle feeding Charlie since he was two months old. He was very upset that she had stopped breast feeding, but she planned to go to work the following week and breast feeding wasn't an option with Sharon's work schedule. Charlie did not like the bottle. Sharon's aunt suggested she put a small amount of honey on the nipple of the bottle to encourage Charlie to take the bottle. After a couple tries it appeared to work, and Sharon was using the honey trick whenever Charlie was acting finicky with the bottle.

1. What is the diagnosis of Charlie? What is the infectious agent?
2. How did Charlie get this? Why doesn't this occur with adults?
3. How should Charlie be treated? Could he have died if this was not treated?