Woman fights for life after dodgy injections

EMERGENCY SERVICES
A woman is in hospital with a suspected case of botulism after receiving unregulated anti wrinkle injections. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

A woman is in hospital with a suspected case of botulism after receiving unregulated anti-wrinkle injections at a Sydney home in the past two weeks.

NSW Health issued a public health alert about the woman’s case on Friday afternoon, warning dodgy cosmetic treatments could produce serious health risks.

“Cosmetic injections, if used incorrectly, could result in serious harm and even death in the most serious of cases,” NSW Health executive director for health protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.

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The woman is now in a Sydney hospital in intensive care. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Botulism, although rare, can be fatal, which is why it is so important that anyone receiving cosmetic injections does so under the supervision of an appropriately registered health practitioner.”

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It is believed the woman received the treatments from a person at the residential address.

She is now in intensive care at a Sydney hospital.

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Dr Jeremy McAnulty from NSW Health warned cosmetic injections should only be provided by authorised practitioners. Picture: Gaye Gerard / Newswire

Dr McAnulty warned other members of the community might have been exposed.

Symptoms of botulism may include progressive weakness, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision and difficulty breathing, NSW Health said.

Symptoms can appear for up to two weeks following injections.

NSW Health advises anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.