Tetanus: What You Should Know
Tetanus also known as Lockjaw is a serious bacterial infection of the nervous system caused by the bacteria called Clostridium tetani usually found in soil, dust, ash, manure, intestinal tract/feces of animals, rusted tools, etc.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The spores are very resistant to heat and can live for years. When these spores get into the body, they develop into the bacteria.
Tetanus is not a contagious disease, it cannot be transmitted from person to person. The common way the bacteria gets into the body is through a break in the skin (injury) that predisposes them to contracting the disease. Injuries
such as:
1. Dirty or contaminated wounds with saliva, feces, etc.
2. Puncture wounds from nails, broken bottles, needles, etc.
3. Crush injuries (injury due to pressure).
4. Injury with dead tissue (example in diabetic foot).
5. Clean bruises.
6. Unsterile surgical procedures.
7. Fractures.
8. Dental infection.
9. Chronic sores and infections.
10. Injection procedures.
Anyone can have tetanus but it is usually common and serious in pregnant women and babies who were not sufficiently vaccinated.
Tetanus occurring during pregnancy or within six weeks after birth is called Maternal Tetanus while tetanus occurring within the first twenty-eight days of life is called Neonatal Tetanus.
Neonatal tetanus occurs when nonsterile equipment is used to cut the umbilical cord or contaminated materials are used to cover the umbilical stump.
Deliveries conducted with unclean hands and unsterile procedures also pose a risk for maternal and neonatal tetanus.
The disease usually develops between 3 to 21 days of infection and an average of 14 days.
Signs and symptoms.
Tetanus is commonly called lockjaw because of one of its most classical symptoms which is the tightening of the muscles of the jaw and neck.
Other symptoms include;
– Seizures
– Jaw cramping.
– Difficult swallowing.
– Sudden involuntary muscle spasm: Often triggered by noise or exposure to light (this is why tetanus patients are nursed in a dimly lit quiet room). This spasm is sometimes characterized by severe arching of the head, neck, and spine in a backward position called Opisthotonus.
– General muscle stiffness.
– Fever
– Headaches.
Complications
Tetanus can be fatal (2 in every 10 cases are fatal) and result in life-threatening complications such as:
– Fractures.
– Tightening of vocal chords interfering with speech.
– Difficult breathing, most patients require oxygen administration.
– Aspiration pneumonia: infection of the lungs when saliva, vomit, etc accidentally get into the lungs as a result of seizures.
– Brain damage.
– Death.
Tetanus is a medical emergency. There are no laboratory tests to detect tetanus infection but from the patient’s history and manifesting symptoms, a clinical diagnosis can be confirmed.
Treatment is usually in the hospital under strict supervision with drugs to control seizures, temperature, anti-tetanus serum/vaccine, and antibiotics.
Due to difficulty in swallowing and risk for aspiration, patients are fed parenterally with intravenous fluids and nasogastric tubes (feeding through the nose).
Prevention.
Prevention of tetanus is primarily by up-to-date vaccination and proper wound care.
Vaccines provide temporary immunity against tetanus infection. Patients who have had tetanus or previously been vaccinated can still be reinfected and therefore need regular vaccination to maintain high-level immunity.
Vaccination is recommended for all ages with booster doses throughout life.
– Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TT vaccine) is taken by adults every 10 years.
– Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) combination vaccine is taken by children at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 – 18 months, and 4 – 6 years.
– Pregnant women: Tetanus vaccine is given as follows;
1. On first contact with the health care provider or as soon as possible during pregnancy.
2. At least 4 weeks after TT1
3. 6 months to 1 year after TT2 or during the following pregnancy.
4. 1 to 5 years after TT3 or during the following pregnancy.
5. 1 to 10 years after TT4 or during the following pregnancy
A pregnant woman should receive at least two doses before delivery. This will help provide immunity for herself and her baby till the baby can receive its first DTaP vaccination.
When vaccines should not be given.
– Allergic reactions after a previous dose of tetanus or diphtheria vaccine.
– Vaccination should be postponed in the event of severe acute febrile illness.
Side effects of the vaccine.
– May cause mild local reactions (redness, pain at the injection site), fever, and malaise.
