A Simple guide to Tetanus
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What is Tetanus?
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Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani which lives in the soil.
How is Tetanus transmitted?
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Tetanus is transmitted by bacterial spores of the tetanus bacteria entering a wound in the skin of a person such as wounds caused by rusty nails.
When the spore developed into the tetanus bacteria, it can produce a powerful toxin which can cause the muscles to go into spasm.
In the jaw the muscle may go into spasm causing a condition called lockjaw.
In more severe cases the respiratory muscles can go into spasm resulting in stoppage of breathing and therefore loss of oxygen to the brain and heart.
This usually results in death unless treated.
The infections occur in persons of all ages.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetanus?
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There is usually a history of a wound, laceration or operation with contamination of soil or rust in nails or surgical instruments.
Symptoms start off with:
1. irritability
2. fever
3. muscle cramps
4. lockjaw
5. difficulty in breathing or swallowing
What are the complications of Tetanus?
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Complications of tetanus occur when the muscle spasm affect the respiratory muscles resulting in inability to breathe.
The loss of oxygen to the heart can cause the heart to stop.
The loss of oxygen to the brain can cause the brain to stop functioning resulting in death.
What are the investigations necessary to diagnose Tetanus?
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The detection of tetanus bacterium in the wound can confirm tetanus infection.
What is the Treatment of Tetanus?
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Isolation in hospital is necessary.
1.Antibiotics (metronidazole) are used in the treatment of Tetanus.
2.Antitoxin can be given by intramuscular injection
3.Intravenous fluids given for dehydration
4.Respirator if breathing stops from spasm of respiratory muscles or vocal muscles
5.Proper wound cleansing is important to remove infections
6.Cardiac failure should be treated
What is the Prevention for Tetanus?
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Vaccination against Tetanus is the best prevention .
Since vaccination began, the worldwide incidence of Tetanus has declined.
Vaccination against Tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (DPT) is usually given to
a baby at 3 months of age and repeated at 4 and 5 months of age.
There is also a booster vaccination at 18 months.
In adults tetanus vaccines are given in all cases of wounds:
first dose followed by a
second dose 6 weeks later and
third dose 6 months later and
fourth dose 18 months later
Besides the vaccinations there should be proper washing of wounds and avoidance of use of rusty instruments.
What is the prognosis in Tetanus?
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Death occurs in 30% of cases.
Mortality is highest in very young children and adults over 50.
Death is usually due to respiratory failure or heart failure.
