Tetanus: Causes, Symptom and Prevention

Tetanus: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention-Tetanus is an acute, often-fatal disease of the nervous system that is caused by nerve toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is found throughout the world in the soil and in animal and human intestines. The bacterium can also lay dormant in its spore form for years before becoming activated and developing into a regularly reproducing bacterium.

 

Types of Tetanus

Generalized Tetanus – It is the most common form of tetanus making up about 80% of all cases. It usually presents with a descending pattern starting from the jaw area and facial spasms down to the neck and then the chest muscles.

Neonatal Tetanus – This occurs in newly born children, which is usually caused by an infection of the umbilical stump. The incubation period is only about 4 days, but immunization of the mother gives her child what is called passive immunity.

Local Tetanus – In this type of tetanus, he contractions and spasms are only limited to the site of injury. It usually lasts for a few weeks, then subsides to a milder and less* threatening form of tetanus. Proper treatment is required in order to avoid its development into generalized tetanus.

Cephalic Tetanus – This is the rarest type of tetanus and in some cases occurs alongside an ear infection.

Risk factors of Tetanus

The following increase your likelihood of getting tetanus:

• Failure to get vaccinated or to keep up to date with booster shots against tetanus 
• An injury that lets tetanus spores into the wound 
• A foreign body, such as a nail or splinter
• Tetanus cases have developed from the following: 
• Puncture wounds including from splinters, body piercings, tattoos, injection drugs 
• Gunshot wounds 
• Compound fractures
• Burns 
• Surgical wounds
• Injection drug use 
• Animal or insect bites 
• Infected foot ulcers
• Dental infections
• Infected umbilical stumps in newborns born of inadequately immunized mothers

Causes of Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by the Clostridium tetani Clostridium tetani spores are able to survive for a long time outside of the body. They are most commonly found in animal manure and contaminated soil, but may exist virtually anywhere.

When Clostridium tetani enter the body, they multiply rapidly and release tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin. When tetanospasmin enters the bloodstream, it rapidly spreads around the body, causing tetanus symptoms.

Tetanospasmin interferes with the signals traveling from the brain to the nerves in the spinal cord, and then on to the muscles, causing muscle spasms and stiffness.

Puncture wounds – Clostridium tetani enters the body mainly through skin lesions (skin cut or puncture wound). Thoroughly cleaning any cut helps prevent an infection from developing.

Symptoms of Tetanus

• Jaw cramping
• Sudden, involuntary muscle tightening (muscle spasms) often in the stomach
• Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
• Trouble swallowing
• Jerking or staring (seizures)
• Headache
• Fever and sweating
• Changes in blood pressure and a fast heart rate
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 Complications of tetanus infection

Broken bones: The severity of spasms may cause the spine and other bones to break.

Blockage of a lung artery (pulmonary embolism): A blood clot that has travelled from elsewhere in your body can block the main artery of the lung or one of its branches.

Death: Severe tetanus-induced (tetanic) muscle spasms can interfere with or stop your breathing. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. Lack of oxygen may also induce cardiac arrest and death. Pneumonia is another cause of death.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose tetanus based on a physical exam, medical and immunization history, and the signs and symptoms of muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. Laboratory tests generally aren’t helpful for diagnosing tetanus.

 Prevention

Exclusion of people with tetanus from childcare, preschool, school and work is not necessary.

Protection against tetanus is provided by a tetanus-containing vaccine which is given in combination with other vaccines as part of routine childhood immunization.