Tetanus: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is tetanus?

Tetanus or lockjaw is a serious disease caused by harmful bacteria. The bacteria is named Clostridium tetani . This bacterial infection can cause damage to the nervous system.

A person can become infected with bacteria C. tetani through an open wound, and symptoms will usually appear about 3-21 days after infection. This disease generally cannot be passed from one person to another.

Patients with this disease will show signs such as muscle spasms to difficulty breathing. This causes the disease to be very deadly and can be life threatening if not treated immediately.

Until now, there has not been found a drug or medical treatment that can cure tetanus. Existing treatment focuses on preventing complications.

How common is this condition?

Tetanus is a fairly rare disease. However, the incidence rate in developing countries is still quite high. This is due to the lack of vaccination programs available in these countries.

Bacteria C. tetani It is very easy to breed in warm climates, especially in the summer months. However, thanks to the discovery of vaccinations, the incidence of this disease has decreased significantly.

In 2015, approximately 34,000 newborns died from this disease. This figure decreased by 96% when compared to 1988, when there were 787,000 deaths in newborns.

The incidence of this disease is quite common in newborns and mothers who have never received vaccinations before. However, the incidence rate in elderly people is relatively high when compared to patients aged 20 years and under.

Type

What are the different types of tetanus?

Tetanus is a disease that can be divided into several types. The following is an explanation of each type:

1. General tetanus

This type is among the most common, with an incidence rate of about 85-90% of all cases of infection C. tetani which exists. Both minor injuries and serious injuries can trigger this disease.

The incubation period or time it takes for symptoms to appear is 7-21 days after first infection. This depends on how far the wound is from the central nervous system.

The most common symptom seen in this type is a feeling of stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw). About 75% of sufferers feel these symptoms.

2. Local tetanus

Local type infections are quite rare. The signs and symptoms that appear are usually muscle spasms in the injured part of the body.

The severity of each patient generally varies. In addition, the chances of survival from local type infections are relatively large.

3. Cephalic tetanus

This type of tetanus is the rarest. Usually, this condition occurs after a person has had a head injury or middle ear infection (otitis media).

The incubation period of the cephalic species is relatively short, which only takes about 1-2 days.

4. Neonatal tetanus

This type is part of the common tetanus. Neonatal infections are more common in developing countries and account for nearly half of all newborn deaths.

The main cause is the process of childbirth that is not clean, and born to mothers who have never received immunizations. The incubation process for neonatal tetanus occurs for approximately 3-10 days. The possibility of this disease leading to death is quite large, which is about 70%.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of tetanus?

Tetanus signs and symptoms appear any time after a few weeks you have contracted the tetanus bacteria through a wound. The average incubation period for tetanus is seven to 10 days.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, common signs and symptoms of tetanus are:

• Spasms and stiffness of the jaw muscles
• Stiffness of the neck muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Stiffness of the abdominal muscles
• Body spasms that are painful and last for several minutes, usually triggered by minor events, such as wind, loud sounds, physical touch, or light

In addition, signs and symptoms that may appear are:

• Fever
• Sweating
• High blood pressure
• Fast heart rate

When should I see a doctor?

When you are injured and the wound comes into contact with soil or animal feces, you should immediately consult a doctor. As a precaution, it's a good idea to get a tetanus shot as soon as possible.

If you experience the signs and symptoms above, or you have other questions about this disease, always consult your doctor.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. In order for you to get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, check any symptoms you are experiencing to the doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes tetanus?

The main cause of tetanus is a bacterial infection Clostridium tetani . The spores of these bacteria can multiply almost anywhere, especially in soil, dust and animal waste.

If a person has an open wound, bacterial spores can potentially enter the wound. After entering, these spores can develop into bacteria that produce a dangerous toxin, namely tetanospasmin.

These toxins can damage the nervous system that controls muscles (motor neurons). These toxins cause muscle stiffness and spasms.

Bacterial spores C. tetani can enter the body through several conditions which include:

• An open wound that is contaminated with dust, dirt (feces), or saliva
• An open wound caused by a specific object, such as a nail or needle
• Burns
• Injuries due to being crushed by a heavy load (crush injury)
• Injury with dead tissue around it
• Surgical procedure
• Insect bites
• Dental infections and less sterile treatment
• Chronic infection or injury
• Less sterile infusion

The incubation period for this disease usually takes 3 to 21 days. The average time it takes for symptoms to first appear is 7 to 10 days. This depends on the type and location of the wound on your body.

Risk factors

What are the factors that increase my risk for tetanus?

Tetanus is a disease that can occur in almost anyone, not limited to certain age groups or racial groups. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of contracting the bacteria C. tetani.

The following are risk factors that can cause you to develop this disease:

• Age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bacterial infections C. tetani more common in adults. In 2009-2017, about 60% of the 264 reported cases of tetanus occurred in patients aged 20-64 years.
• Live in or travel to warm, less clean climates. This disease is easier to develop in places with warm temperatures, and is supported by an unclean environment.
• Do not do tetanus immunization or vaccination. This generally cannot be separated from the factor of living in a developing country with low socialization of the immunization program.
• Have a bad immune system. This condition increases a person's chances of contracting a bacterial infection C. tetani .
• Have wounds that are not cleaned can result in bacterial spores C. tetani get into your body, especially if the wound was caused by a foreign object, such as a nail or needle.
• Less hygienic delivery process. This risk will be even higher if the mother has never received a vaccine before.
• Have wounds on the body that are chronic, such as wounds in diabetics.
• Undergo a tattoo procedureThis, especially with less sterile procedures, can also increase a person's risk of developing tetanus.
• The process of handling the mouth and teeth is not quite right. Some cases of this disease are associated with oral and dental procedures, such as tooth extraction and treatment of the roots of the teeth.

Complications

What are the complications caused by tetanus?

If tetanus is not treated immediately, it can lead to several health complications:

1. Respiratory disorders

Severe muscle spasms can also affect the muscles of the upper respiratory tract. This has the potential to interfere with the patient's breathing.

2. Fractures or fractures

In addition to disruption of breathing, muscle spasms that occur over a long period of time have the potential to cause fractures or fractures.

3. Nosocomial infection

Nosocomial infection is a form of infection that occurs when a person is hospitalized for a long time. Infection that may occur is pressure ulcer (a type of chronic wound), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and infection due to the installation of less sterile medical equipment.

4. Death

Respiratory conditions are a major cause of tetanus, which can lead to death. A respiratory system that fails to function normally causes cardiac arrest (cardiac arrest).

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

Your doctor will diagnose tetanus from a medical exam, especially tests of your muscles and nervous system. One method is to take a sample from the wound you have.

The sample will be examined in the laboratory to see if there are bacteria in it. In addition, the doctor will also perform blood tests.

What are the treatment options for tetanus?

The first aid that is performed when you are injured is to clean the wound area. This is important to prevent the growth of bacterial spores in the body.

However, if you do not realize that your body has been infected and you start showing certain symptoms, your doctor will prescribe treatment that focuses on detoxification and management of muscle spasms. Some of the recommended tetanus treatment options are:

1. Antitoxin

The doctor will give you an antitoxin drug called tetanus immune globulin (TIG). However, TIG drugs can only neutralize toxins that have not yet attacked the body's nervous system.

2. Antibiotics

Apart from antitoxins, giving antibiotics such as penicillin is also important to fight bacterial infections C. tetani . Antibiotics can be given by mouth or injection.

3. Vaccinations

Along with administering anti-toxins and antibiotics, the doctor will give you a tetanus vaccination.

4. Sedative

To control and relieve the condition of muscle spasms, the doctor will use a sedative or sedative drug with a high enough dose.

5. Other drugs

Medicines such as magnesium sulfate and beta blockers can also be used to treat breathing and heartbeat problems.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat tetanus?

The most important thing you have to do to prevent this disease is the tetanus vaccination. Usually, the child will be given an injection of the vaccine diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP). This vaccine helps protect children from three diseases, namely diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus.

The DTaP vaccine is given five times, namely when the child is 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 18 months, and 5 years old. However, you need to know that the vaccine does not last a lifetime.

Children need to get injections booster when he was 12 years old. In addition, adults also need vaccinations booster every 10 years thereafter. You need to consult a doctor regarding administration booster the.

Not only giving vaccinations, you can also take some easy steps to treat open wounds so that tetanus can be prevented:

1. Clean the wound as soon as possible

If you are injured and bleeding occurs, wash it immediately with clean running water. After that, dry with a towel. If necessary, use an antiseptic soap when cleaning the wound.

2. Using an antibiotic cream

After drying the injured area, apply a small amount of antibiotic cream or ointment. This is important to prevent bacterial growth and infection.

3. Close the wound

Open wounds may heal faster with direct exposure to air. However, covering the wound with a bandage or bandage can keep the wound clean and prevent bacteria from entering.

4. Change the plaster or bandage every day

Do not use plaster or bandages for too long, especially if the tape is wet or dirty. Make sure you replace it every day.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.