Tetanus is a rare disease caused by a bacterial toxin that enters the body through a wound. Symptoms include muscle spasms, stiffness, and soreness, and can be fatal if the airways are compromised. Treatment involves antitoxins, antibiotics, and muscle relaxants. Prevention is key through regular vaccinations and proper wound care.
Tetanus is a very rare disease caused by a bacterial toxin. This disease is rare because there is a tetanus vaccine, and many people continue to be vaccinated and receive a timely vaccination if they are at risk for tetanus. As a general rule, people need the vaccine every 10 years, and if they haven’t received a vaccine within five years and have a deep or very dirty wound, a booster vaccine may be recommended.
This disease develops when the Clostridium tetani bacterium enters the body through a wound. These bacteria produce a toxin that causes muscle spasms, and tetanus symptoms typically appear between five and 15 days after exposure. People with deep puncture wounds are at particular risk for tetanus, as are people injured in dirty environments.
One of the classic signs of tetanus is muscle spasms, especially around the face and throat. In fact, the condition’s alternative name, “lockjaw,” refers to the severe muscle spasms that some patients experience. The muscles are also usually stiff and sore, especially in the early days of the illness, and the pain may be concentrated around the back and neck.
Other symptoms of tetanus include: fever, urine retention, sweating, difficulty swallowing, irritability, sore throat and anxiety. Pain around the site where the bacteria was introduced is also common, and the area may appear red and inflamed. The patient may also develop severe pain in the contracting muscles and may develop airway obstruction as the muscles around the throat contract. If the airways are compromised, the patient is at risk of death.
Treatment for tetanus involves giving an antitoxin to counteract the effects of the bacterial toxin and antibiotics to kill the bacteria so they stop producing the toxin. Patients may also be given muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms, and patients with at-risk airways may be placed on a ventilator.
While it’s definitely helpful to be able to recognize the symptoms of tetanus, preventing tetanus is very important. Getting regular tetanus shots will reduce your risk of tetanus, and people who aren’t sure when they last got a tetanus shot should talk to their doctors. When someone is injured, the wound should always be properly cleaned and rinsed to discourage infection, and people with deep, ragged or dirty wounds should be taken to a doctor to be evaluated whether or not they develop symptoms of tetanus, as early treatment can prevent complications.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
