Tetanus

Tetanus is a disease caused by the canker of the bacterium Clostridium tetani that affects the central nervous system sometimes resulting in death. Once the bacteria are in the body they produce a neurotoxin known as tetanospasmin which causes muscle spasms. In the United States most cases of tetanus adhere a cut or deep puncture injury such as a wound caused by stepping on a nail. It can also travel to other parts of the body throughout the bloodstream and lymph system. A cut, puncture wound, laceration or other wound can result to a tetanus infection and toxin production if you don't have immunity.

Spasms of the jaw or facial muscles may follow, spreading to the hands, arms, legs, and back and blocking the competency to breathe. If the spores enter a wound which enters the skin and protracts deeper than oxygen can reach, they germinate and produce a toxin that penetrates the bloodstream. Before immunizations (vaccines or shots which are given to help the body fight certain illnesses) were present, neonatal tetanus was a common cause of newborn death because the disease is almost always fatal in infants. But in developing countries where there's no persuasive prevention and immunization program against tetanus, the disease is much more common than it is in the United States.

This disease is frequently critical, especially to the very old or very young. The toxin first strikes nerves controlling the muscles near the wound. There it abstains with the normal activity of nerves, especially the motor nerves that send direct messages to our muscles. Due to improved surgical procedures and techniques for cutting the umbilical cord, however, newborn tetanus is now rare in developed countries. You are more at chance of developing tetanus if the wound is deep or if it gets dirty with soil or manure but even small wounds such as a prick from a thorn can allow enough bacteria to get into your body to cause tetanus.

Beginning at 2 months of age, all babies in the United States are routinely vaccinated against tetanus. An estimated 1 million infants die of tetanus in developing countries each year due to poor hygiene. Tetanus is quite occassional in the UK because many people are vaccinated against it. A full course of tetanus immunisation comprises of five doses of vaccine. Treatment for tetanus is present, but the process is lengthy and not uniformly effective. Tetanus may be fatal disdain treatment. The best armament against tetanus is prevention.

Causes of Tetanus

The common Causes of Tetanus :

• Tetanus is caused by a toxin (poison) composed by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani
• Spores are hardy forms of the bacteria which can outlast in the environment in an inactive state for a long time.
• Dental or surgical procedures.
• In the United States, tetanus happens mainly in newborns, children, young adults, and older adults who are either not immunized or not adequately immunized. Injecting drug users are also at risk
• History of neonatal tetanus in a antecedent child is a risk factor for posterior neonatal tetanus.
• Corneal abrasions

Symptoms of Tetanus

Some Symptoms of Tetanus :

• Muscular irritability
• Inability to pass urine
• Fever
• Spasms of your jaw, neck and other muscles
• Sweating
• Arching of the back and neck
• Irritability
• problems with swallowing or breathing

Treatment of Tetanus

• Give penicillin to kill C. tetani (other antibiotics such as clindamycin, erythromycin, or metronidazole can be used in patients who are allergic to penicillin).
• Bedrest with a nonstimulating environment (dim light, reduced noise, and sturdy temperature) may be recommended.
• Remove and destroy the source of the toxin through surgical exploration and cleaning of the wound (debridement).
• Sedation may be essential to keep the affected person calm.
• Control and reverse the tetany with antitoxin (tetanus immune globulin).
• Treat symptoms. Muscle spasms can be treated with muscle relaxants such as diazepam.