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Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria found in soil that enters the body through a wound or ingestion. Symptoms include muscle stiffness, spasms, difficulty swallowing, and labored breathing. Treatment involves antibiotics and muscle relaxants. Vaccinations can prevent tetanus.
Signs of tetanus include stiff joints and muscles, muscle spasms, difficulty swallowing, and labored breathing. Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease that affects muscles and nerves. The disease is not contagious; people become infected when a toxin produced by bacteria found in the soil enters the body through a wound, an open wound, or by ingestion. This toxin attaches itself to nerves connected to the brain or spinal cord, enters the brain or spinal cord and alters the nerve signals transmitted from those areas, consequently wreaking havoc on the nervous system and muscles. There are no physical exams or blood tests that can detect the bacteria or toxins that cause tetanus; knowing the signs of tetanus is the only way to diagnose the infection.
After exposure to the toxin that causes tetanus, signs of tetanus appear within two weeks. Of all the symptoms of tetanus, stiffness in the jaw, neck, joints and muscles usually comes first. Due to the inability of many sufferers to open their mouths after contracting tetanus, the disease is also called “lockjaw”. As the infection progresses, the muscles in the face may contract involuntarily, causing a forced smile to appear. Stiffness in the neck and esophagus can inhibit swallowing.
The most recognizable signs of tetanus are muscle spasms. Communications between the muscles and the brain or spine are distorted as the toxin continues to interfere with the signals. As a result, the muscles begin to tense continuously, a process commonly known as spasms.
Although the muscles closest to the wound spasm first, over time, the muscles of the back, neck and abdomen are also affected. Included in these muscle groups are the muscles needed for breathing. When the respiratory muscles spasm, breathing becomes difficult and the possibility of death from asphyxiation increases. As a result, patients who have trouble breathing may be forced to use breathing machines.
If the signs of tetanus are identified in a timely manner, recovery from the infection is possible. Recovery usually takes four to six weeks. Treatment of tetanus requires antibiotics to destroy the bacteria and toxins associated with the disease. Other medicines may be given to reduce muscle spasms and restore breathing.
Tetanus can be prevented with proper vaccinations. Most tetanus sufferers are elderly people who came of age before childhood vaccinations became common, and children in developing countries who lack access to such vaccinations and live in areas with poor sanitation. The signs of tetanus in adults and the signs of tetanus in children are similar, so those who care for the elderly or come into contact with people in developing countries do not need to distinguish age when recognizing tetanus.
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