Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system. Tetanus bacteria from soil, dust, or manure enter the body through a break in the skin. The infection may result in severe muscle spasms. Such spasms lead to lockjaw, which prevents opening or closing of the mouth. Tetanus can be fatal.
Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by the spores of the bacterium
Clostridium tetani.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Your risk of tetanus is increased if you are:
- Not immunized to tetanus
- Not updating tetanus shot regularly
- An IV drug user
- Age: 50 or older
- Have skin sores or wounds
- Have had burns
- Have had exposure of open wounds to soil or animal feces
Symptoms of tetanus may include:
- Headache
- Stiff jaw muscles (lockjaw) or neck muscles
- Drooling or trouble swallowing
- Muscle spasticity or rigidity
- Sweating
- Fever
- Irritability
- Pain or tingling at the wound site
- High
or low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart beat that is irregular, too fast or too slow
- Cardiac arrest
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
(a complication of the infection)
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The diagnosis is mainly based on the medical history. Your doctor may culture the wound, but culture results are not always accurate.
Treatment may include:
- Hospitalization to manage complications of the infection
- Opening and cleaning of the wound, or sometimes surgical removal of the entire wounded area
- Antibiotics
- Tetanus immune globulin—antibodies against tetanus that help neutralize the tetanus toxin
- A tetanus shot, if your tetanus vaccines are not up to date
In some cases of trouble breathing or swallowing, a breathing tube may be inserted in the throat to help keep the airway open. In certain situations, a surgical procedure called a
tracheotomy
may be done to provide an open airway.
The following may help you prevent tetanus:
- Vaccination
- The tetanus vaccine is available as a single vaccine or given in combination with diphtheria vaccine (DT and Td) or diphtheria and pertussis vaccines (DTaP and Tdap).
- The DTaP vaccine can be given to children younger than seven years old. It is generally required before starting school and is given in a five-dose series at ages two, four, six, and 15-18 months, followed by a booster that is given between ages 4-6.
- A booster vaccine, Tdap, is recommended for adolescents aged 11-12, and for adults aged 19-64.
-
Proper care of wounds
- Promptly clean all wounds.
- See your doctor for medical care of wounds, especially if you have not had a tetanus vaccination in the last 10 years.
Last reviewed January 2008 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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