Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious neurological condition that can lead to very serious complications, but it can be prevented through vaccination.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening condition that affects the nervous system, and although there is a vaccination for it, it’s still spread in developing countries.

Causes of tetanus

Tetanus occurs due to a type of bacteria called Clostridium tetani, which releases a toxin when the body is infected. The bacteria can enter the body through different ways:

• Cuts, wounds, and burns.
• Broken bones that break through the skin.
• Insect and dog bites.
• A foreign thing in the wound, like nails or splinters.
• Contaminated needles or surgical instruments.

The risk of tetanus increases in elderly people, people with diabetes, and people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of tetanus

There are four types of tetanus:

• Generalized tetanus, which is the most common type and causes severe muscle contractions, mostly in the neck and jaw.
• Localized tetanus, which causes uncontrolled muscle spasms near the site that the bacteria got in through, and it can turn into the generalized type.
• Cephalic tetanus, which affects the head and face primarily.
• Neonatal tetanus, which affects newborns within 28 days of birth.

The primary symptoms of tetanus include:

• Drooling.
• The face muscles become flexed and lead to a rigid smile.
• The jaw muscles become tight, and this makes the patient unable to open the mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Muscle contractions in the abdomen, back, arms, or legs.
• The neck and back may overextend.
• Seizures.
• Lockjaw can affect the autonomic nervous system and cause fever, excessive sweating, hypertension or hypotension, increased heartbeat, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence.
• Lockjaw can lead to breathing problems, kidney failure, blood clots, broken bones, sepsis, and death.

Diagnosis of tetanus

• Physical exam.
• Medical and vaccination history.

Treatment of tetanus

• Medications to block the toxin in addition to antibiotics.
• Managing the symptoms.
• Tetanus may persist for 2-3 weeks, but full recovery may take months.
• Tetanus can be prevented through vaccination.