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Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by bacteria that produces a toxin that causes painful muscle spasms. It enters through wounds and is found in soil. There are several types including generalized tetanus which is the most common and affects the whole body starting with jaw muscles. Symptoms range from minor spasms to death from respiratory failure. Treatment focuses on antibiotics to kill the bacteria, antibodies to combat the toxin, and supportive care like ventilation. Prevention through regular booster shots after the initial series of vaccinations as a child is highly effective.

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414 views5 pages

Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by bacteria that produces a toxin that causes painful muscle spasms. It enters through wounds and is found in soil. There are several types including generalized tetanus which is the most common and affects the whole body starting with jaw muscles. Symptoms range from minor spasms to death from respiratory failure. Treatment focuses on antibiotics to kill the bacteria, antibodies to combat the toxin, and supportive care like ventilation. Prevention through regular booster shots after the initial series of vaccinations as a child is highly effective.

Uploaded by

asmaeser
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tetanus

Diagnosis
Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria that
can affect the whole body (generalized
tetanus) or only certain parts of the body
(localized tetanus). C.Tetani paralyses the
voluntary muscles, causing them to break
out in uncontrollable spasms, even
sometimes causing the whole body to cramp into a shape named
opisthotonos.

Disease Causing Organism:


The bacteria causing the disease is called
Clostridium Tetani, which actually only start
breeding in the body. The spores which are
found in the soil and on rusty metals first
enter the wound, then produce the bacteria
C.Tetani.

Incubation Period:
C.Tetani can take months to fully develop but usually takes 8 days.
Generally, The further away the entry injury for the bacteria, the
longer its incubation period. Also, the shorter the incubation period,
the more intense the symptoms.

Symptoms:
Generalized Tetanus
Generalized tetanus is the most common type of tetanus,
representing about 80% of cases. The generalized form usually
presents with a descending pattern. The first sign is trismus, or
lockjaw, and the facial spasms called risus sardonicus, followed by
stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, and rigidity of calf
muscles. Other symptoms include high temperature, sweating and
elevated blood pressure. Cramps and spasms may last from a few
minutes to months. However, if the diagnosed person is over 60 or
has no vaccination, symptoms may turn fatal - C.Tetani will continue
on to paralyze the lung muscles and in the worst cases stop the
breathing process and therefore be fatal.
Localized Tetanus
Local tetanus is an uncommon form of the disease, in which patients
have constant contraction of muscles in the same area as the injury.
The contractions may persist for many weeks before fading away.
Local tetanus is generally not as strong, only about 1% of cases are
fatal, but it may precede the onset of generalized tetanus.
Neonatal Tetanus
Neonatal tetanus is a form of generalized
tetanus found in newborns. It usually happens
because the mother was not immunized and so
has not passed down her immunity to her
child. Neonatal Tetanus can also be found
through the infection of the umbilical stump,
especially if not cut with a sterile instrument.#
Cephalic Tetanus:
This type of tetanus is a rare form of the disease, occasionally
occurring with ear infections in which C. tetani is present in the of
the middle ear, or following injuries to the head. There is involvement
of the nerves in the facial area and cranial nerves. This type of
tetanus causes severe facial spasms.

Type of transmission:
Tetanus is a non-comunible type of disease, meaning it can not
spread from person to person (coughing, sneezing, talking, touching
infected objects etc), It must enter a wound from its breeding
grounds.
Treatment:
The wound must be cleaned. Dead and
infected tissue should be removed
surgically. The antibiotic ‘metronidazole’
is used to kill the actual bacteria, but
has no effect on the toxins named
‘tetanospasmin’. Penicillin was used
before but is now replaced with the above
antibiotic because penicillin would
increase spasms.
Mild tetanus:
Mild cases of tetanus can be treated with:
* Tetanus immunoglobulin (proteins that work as antibodies in
the vertebrates) injections.
* Metronidazole IV for 10 days.
* tetanus vaccination
Severe tetanus:
Severe cases will require intensive care. In addition to the
recommendations above for mild tetanus:
* human tetanus immunoglobulin (proteins that work as antibodies
in the vertebrates) injected.
*mechanical ventilation for 3 to 4 weeks,
* magnesium, as an infusion, to prevent muscle spasm,
* diazepam as a continuous infusion.
Prevention of Tetanus:
Tetanus can be prevented with a vaccine containing tetanus toxiod.
Every ten years, a booster shot is administered for adults. If someone
has a puncture wound or such, tetanus shots are given if the
wounded was not sure when the last booster was given, or if they
have had less than 3 shots during their lifetime.


Prognosis:
Unlike many infectious
diseases, if one naturally
attracts tetanus he/she
will not acquire
immunity. This is
because there are not
enough toxins for the Tetanus cases reported worldwide (1990-
body to create antibodies, 2004). Ranging from strongly prevalent (in
very little toxin is needed dark red) to very few cases (in light yellow)
(grey, no data).
when tetanus is present
in the body to damage the
muscles.
The fatality rate of tetanus is quite high : In recent years, tetanus
has been fatal in about 11% of reported cases and as high as 18% in
persons age 60 years and older, and 22% in unvaccinated persons.
This means the chance that you will survive is 81%.

Technical Glossary
Immunoglobulin –- antibodies found in the vertebrates.
Diazepam - a tranquilizer (trade name Valium) used to relieve
anxiety and relax muscles
Metronidazole - antibiotic used to kill tetanus bacteria.

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