14/07/2020
by Ronald Yiga Pcbm
is caused by a toxin made by spores of bacteria, , found in soil, dust and animal f***s. When the spores enter a deep flesh wound, they grow into bacteria that can produce a powerful toxin, tetanospasmin.
is a serious disease caused by a bacterial toxin that affects your nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of your jaw and neck muscles.
can interfere with your ability to breathe and can threaten your life. Tetanus is commonly known as "lockjaw."
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TETANUS
>Spasms and stiffness in your jaw muscles (trismus)
>Stiffness of your neck muscles
>Difficulty swallowing
>Stiffness of your abdominal muscles
>Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes, typically triggered by minor occurrences, such as a draft, loud noise, physical touch or light
>Fever
>Sweating
>Elevated blood pressure
>Rapid heart rate
RISK factors
The following increase your likelihood of getting tetanus:
Failure to get vaccinated or to keep up to date with booster shots against tetanus
An injury that lets tetanus spores into the wound
A foreign body, such as a nail or splinter
Tetanus cases have developed from the following:
✓Puncture wounds — including from splinters, body piercings, tattoos and injection drugs
✓Gunshot wounds
✓Compound fractures
✓Burns
✓Surgical wounds
✓Injection drug use
✓Animal or insect bites
✓Infected foot ulcers
✓Dental infections
✓Infected umbilical stumps in newborns born of inadequately vaccinated mothers
COMPLICATIONS
Complications of tetanus infection may include:
Broken bones. The severity of spasms may cause the spine and other bones to break.
Blockage of a lung artery (pulmonary embolism). A blood clot that has traveled from elsewhere in your body can block the main artery of the lung or one of its branches.
Death. Severe tetanus-induced (tetanic) muscle spasms can interfere with or stop your breathing. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. Lack of oxygen may also induce cardiac arrest.
PREVENTION
•You can easily prevent tetanus by being vaccinated. The tetanus vaccine usually given to child as part of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine.
•If you're traveling internationally, particularly to a developing country where tetanus might be common, make sure your immunity is current.
•To stay up to date with all of your vaccinations, ask your doctor to review your vaccination status regularly.
•If you weren't vaccinated against tetanus as a child, see your doctor about getting the Tdap vaccine.
•If you have a minor wound, these steps will help prevent tetanus:
✓Control bleeding. Apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
✓Keep the wound clean.
✓Use antibiotics.
✓Cover the wound.
✓Change the dressing.
TREATMENT
There's no cure for tetanus. Treatment consists of wound care, medications to ease symptoms and supportive care.
MEDICATIONS
~~Antitoxin. Your doctor may give you a tetanus antitoxin, such as tetanus immune globulin.
~~Antibiotics. Your doctor may also give you antibiotics, either orally or by injection, to fight tetanus bacteria.
~~Vaccine. All people with tetanus should receive the tetanus vaccine as soon as they're diagnosed with the condition.
~~Sedatives. Doctors generally use powerful sedatives to control muscle spasms.
~~Other drugs. Other medications, such as magnesium sulfate and certain beta blockers, might be used to regulate involuntary muscle activity, such as your heartbeat and breathing. Morphine might be used for this purpose as well as sedation.
