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Tetanus is a serious nervous system disease caused by a toxin-producing bacterium. Muscle contractions are caused by the disease, particularly in the jaw and neck muscles. Lockjaw is another name for tetanus.
Tetanus complications can be life-threatening. Tetanus has no known cure. Treatment focuses on symptom management and complications until the tetanus toxin's effects wear off.
Tetanus cases are uncommon in the United States and other developed countries due to the widespread use of vaccines. People who are not up to date on their vaccinations continue to be at risk from the disease. It is more prevalent in developing countries.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TETANUS?
The average time between infection and the onset of signs and symptoms (incubation period) is ten days. The incubation period can last anywhere between 3 and 21 days.
Generalized tetanus is the most common type of tetanus. Over the course of two weeks, signs and symptoms gradually worsen. They usually begin at the jaw and work their way down the body.
The following are signs and symptoms of generalized tetanus:
- Muscle spasms and stiff, immobile muscles in your jaw (muscle rigidity)
- Muscle tension around your lips, sometimes resulting in a persistent grin
- Muscle spasms and rigidity in your neck
- Swallowing Difficulties
- Abdominal muscles that are rigid
Tetanus progresses to cause painful, seizure-like spasms that last for several minutes (generalized spasms). The neck and back usually arch, the legs stiffen, the arms are drawn up to the body, and the fists are clenched. Breathing difficulties may result from muscle rigidity in the neck and abdomen.
Minor events that stimulate the senses, such as a loud sound, physical touch, a draft, or light, can cause these severe spasms.
Other signs and symptoms that may appear as the disease progresses include:
- Hypertension
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
Localized tetanus
This rare form of tetanus causes muscle spasms near the site of a wound. While it is typically a milder form of the disease, it can progress to generalized tetanus.
Cephalic tetanus
This uncommon form of tetanus is caused by a head wound. It causes facial muscle weakness and spasms of the jaw muscles. It can also lead to generalized tetanus.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease. Seek emergency medical attention if you have tetanus symptoms.
If you have a simple, clean wound and have had a tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years, you can treat it at home.
Seek medical attention in the following situations:
- You haven't received a tetanus vaccination in ten years.
- You're not sure when your last tetanus vaccine was.
- You have a puncture wound, a foreign object in your wound, a bite from an animal, or a severe cut.
- Your wound is contaminated with dirt, soil, feces, rust, or saliva — or you are unsure if you cleaned a wound well after such exposure. If it has been five years or more since your previous tetanus shot, contaminated wounds necessitate a vaccination booster.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TETANUS?
Clostridium tetani is the name of the bacteria that causes tetanus. The bacterium can live in soil and animal excrement in a latent form. It's basically shut down until it finds a place to thrive.
When dormant bacteria enter a wound, which promotes growth, the cells become "awakened." They produce a poison called tetanospasmin as they grow and divide. The poison damages the nerves that govern muscles in the body.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF TETANUS?
The most dangerous risk factor for tetanus infection is not being vaccinated or failing to receive 10-year booster doses.
Other factors that raise the likelihood of tetanus infection include:
- Cuts or sores that have been exposed to soil or manure
- A foreign body, such as a nail or splinter, in a wound
- A medical history of immune-suppressing disorders
- Diabetes patients with infected skin lesions
- When a mother is not properly immunized, her umbilical cord becomes infected.
- Unsanitary and shared needles for illegal drug use
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF TETANUS?
Tetanus infection can lead to the following complications:
- Breathing difficulties: Tightening of the vocal cords and muscle tightness in the neck and abdomen can cause life-threatening breathing issues, especially during a widespread spasm.
- Blockage of a lung artery (pulmonary embolism): A blood clot from another part of your body can obstruct the main artery of the lung or one of its branches.
- Pneumonia: A lung infection induced by inadvertently breathing anything into the lungs (aspiration pneumonia) is a possible side effect of widespread spasms.
- Bone fractures: Generalized spasms can result in spine or other bone fractures.
- Death: Tetanus is frequently fatal due to a clogged airway during spasms or nerve damage that regulates breathing, heart rate, or other organ functions.
HOW IS TETANUS DIAGNOSED?
Tetanus is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical and immunization history, and signs and symptoms such as muscle spasms, rigidity, and discomfort. A laboratory test would most likely be conducted only if your doctor feels that the signs and symptoms are caused by anything else.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR TETANUS?
Tetanus has no known cure. A tetanus infection necessitates both emergency and long-term supportive care while the disease progresses. Wound care, symptom relief medications, and supportive care are typically provided in an intensive care unit.
The disease lasts about two weeks, and recovery can take up to a month.
Wound treatment
Cleaning your wound is necessary to remove dirt, debris, or foreign objects that may harbor bacteria. Your medical team will also clean the wound of any dead tissue that could provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
Medications
- Toxins that have not yet attacked nerve tissues are targeted with antitoxin therapy. This treatment, known as passive immunization, involves the administration of a human antibody to the toxin.
- Sedatives that slow the nervous system's function can help control muscle spasms.
- Getting one of the standard tetanus vaccines helps your immune system fight off the toxins.
- Antibiotics, administered orally or intravenously, may aid in the fight against tetanus bacteria.
- Other substances. Other medications may be used to control involuntary muscle activity, such as heartbeat and breathing. Morphine could be used for this as well as sedation.
Supportive therapies
Supportive therapies include treatments to keep your airway clear and to help you breathe. Nutrients are delivered via a feeding tube into the stomach. The care environment is designed to minimize sounds, light, and other potential triggers of generalized spasms.
HOME REMEDIES FOR TETANUS
Any cut or wound requires proper wound care. If you have a puncture wound, a severe cut, an animal bite, a foreign object in your wound, or a wound polluted with dirt, soil, feces, rust, or saliva, get medical attention.
Seek medical attention if you are unsure when you last received a tetanus vaccine. If it has been five years or more since your previous tetanus vaccine, contaminated or more serious wounds necessitate a vaccination booster.
If you have a minor wound, take the following precautions to avoid infection:
- Stop the bleeding: Stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure.
- Clean the wound: Rinse the wound with a saline solution, bottled water, or clear running water once the bleeding has stopped.
- Antibiotics should be used: To discourage bacterial growth and illness, apply a thin layer of antibiotic cream or ointment.
- Protect the wound: Bandages can help to keep the wound clean and harmful microorganisms at bay. Cover the wound until a scab forms. If you are unable to adequately clean the wound, do not cover it and instead seek medical attention.
- Alter the dressing: Replace the bandage at least once a day or anytime the dressing becomes moist or unclean, and rinse the wound with antibiotic ointment.
- Manage unfavorable reactions: If the antibiotic creates a rash, discontinue use. If you're allergic to the adhesive in most bandages, try adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze and paper tape instead.
HOW CAN TETANUS BE PREVENTED?
Tetanus can be avoided by getting vaccinated.
Children's Vaccination
Children receive the tetanus vaccine as part of the diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP). Diphtheria is a dangerous bacterial infection that affects the nose and throat. Whooping cough, commonly known as acellular pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory ailment.
Children who do not tolerate the pertussis vaccine may be given the DT vaccine instead.
The DTaP is a series of five doses administered to children between the ages of:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15 to 18 months
- 4 to 6 years
Vaccination of children aged 7 to 18 years
A booster shot is advised for children aged 11 or 12. The Tdap vaccine is the name given to this booster. If your child did not receive a booster shot at this age, consult with your doctor about other options.
Vaccination for adults age 19 and older
Adults should get a booster shot every ten years. It could be one of two vaccines: Tdap or Td. If you were not immunized against tetanus as a child or are unsure of your vaccination status, consult your doctor about getting the Tdap vaccine.
Vaccination while pregnant
Regardless of the mother's vaccination schedule, a booster is recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy.