I need some info about Tetnus ?

Question

Ok, my friend's worried that she has tetnus so I need all the info on it, like how common is it? Whats the most risky way of getting it? How do you get it and what happens when you have it? Is there a cure? And any other info/advice you have??

Answer 1

WHAT IS TETANUS?
• Tetanus is a serious disease that is caused by bacteria found in dust, soil, and manure1
• Tetanus enters the body through many kinds of wounds—from a pinprick to a deep wound1
• The bacteria live all over the world1
• Tetanus is commonly called “lockjaw” since it can cause stiffness in the jaw muscles1

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
• Symptoms may include1:
– Headache
– Stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw)
– Severe muscle spasms
– Sweating
– Fever
– Stiffness of abdominal muscles
– Difficulty swallowing
• Lockjaw is one of the most dangerous symptoms because it can lead to death by suffocation1
• Symptoms usually begin about 8 days after infection, but may range in onset from 3 days to 3 weeks1


HOW IS TETANUS TREATED?
• Treatment for tetanus may include medications, surgery, and bed rest2
• Even if a person recovers from tetanus, a tetanus shot is needed to ensure he or she doesn’t get it again1

Clostridium tetani (tetanus)




Courtesy of The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
Tetanus spasms




Sources:
1. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Facts about tetanus for adults. Available at: http://www.nfid.org/factsheets/tetanusadult.html. Accessed March 21, 2005.
2. US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. Tetanus. Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia Web site. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000615.htm. Accessed March 21, 2005.



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This page last updated: 07-Nov-2006

Answer 2

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium which is commonly found in soil, dust, faeces, etc. It forms very resistant spores in these conditions, basically 'hibernating' until conditions become favourable. Most common in soil though. It's contracted through a break in the skin, which becomes contaminated by these spores, which after a period of time become viable again and cause clinical disease.

Greatest risk is to those who have no immunity; i.e. not vaccinated. Depending on the nature of the cut/exposure risk, even vaccinated people get a booster shot.

As to your other more specific questions about incidence/prevalence, below is a good link with reliable information.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani. Infection generally occurs through wound contamination, and often involves a cut or deep puncture wound. As the infection progresses, muscle spasms in the jaw develop, hence the common name, lockjaw. This is followed by difficulty swallowing and general muscle stiffness and spasms in other parts of the body.[1]

The clinical manifestations of tetanus are caused when tetanus toxin blocks inhibitory nerve impulses, by interfering with the release of neurotransmitters. This leads to unopposed muscle contraction and spasm. Seizures may occur, and the autonomic nervous system may also be affected.

nfection can be prevented by proper immunization and by post-exposure prophylaxis.[2] The term tetany refers to a state of muscle tension.

Tetanus affects skeletal muscle, a type of striated muscle. The other type of striated muscle, cardiac or heart muscle cannot be tetanized due to intrinsic electrical properties. In recent years, approximately 11% of reported tetanus cases have been fatal. The highest mortality rates are in unvaccinated persons and persons over 60 years of age. C. tetani, the bacteria that causes tetanus, is recovered from the initial wound in only about 30% of cases, and can be found in patients who do not have tetanus.

Treatment

The wound must be cleaned. Dead and infected tissue should be removed by surgical debridement. Metronidazole treatment decreases the number of bacteria but has no effect on the bacterial toxin. Penicillin was once used to treat tetanus, but is no longer the treatment of choice because of a theoretical risk of increased spasms. It should still be used if metronidazole is not available. Passive immunization with human anti-tetanospasmin immunoglobulin or tetanus immune globulin is crucial. If specific anti-tetanospasmin immunoglobulin is not available, then normal human immunoglobulin may be given instead. All tetanus victims should be vaccinated against the disease or offered a booster shot. It takes 2-14 days for symptoms to develop after infection. Symptoms peak 17 days after infection.

Answer 4

Tetnus is a bacteria that can enter your blood stream causing septicaemia (blood poisoning). This can be fatal if not treated. Signs are the tell tale meningitis like rash. Tetnus bacteria live on most things and enter through cuts and grazes. Hope this info is correct and helpful if your friend has got the rash get her to the docs ASAP!!

Answer 5

tetnus is a virus which live on things come into contact with soil. however tetnus cant get into a wound which you had before as a scab forms as a barrier. most people get tetnus jabs in school and a booster every 10 years after that. it causes muscle to contract however can be dealt with by shock treatment

Answer 6

It is carried in spores which are dormant in dirt (soil). It enters the body typically through a cut with a dirty implement (garden fork etc). Tetanus often begins with muscle spasms in the jaw (called trismus), accompanied by difficulty swallowing and stiffness or pain in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, or back. These spasms can spread to the muscles of the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs.
Your friend needs to get urgent medical attention;
See link below for futher info;

Answer 7

Hello,

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, but vaccine-preventable disease caused by an exotoxin (tetanospasmin) produced by Clostridium tetani. C. tetani is a slender Gram positive anaerobic rod, which is heat sensitive and cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. It develops a terminal spore which is resistant to heat, antiseptics, phenol and other chemical agents. Tetanus occurs worldwide and tetanus spores are present in soil and the dung of a number of animals.

The incubation period of the disease is usually a week, but ranges from 3 to 21 days. Generally, the further the injury site is from the central nervous system the longer the incubation period. The risk of fatality is highest in those with the shortest incubation period.

Signs and symptoms can be categorised according to the type of symptoms:

Local tetanus

This is a rare and mild form of the disease. Local tetanus is characterised by persistent contraction of muscles in the same anatomic area as the injury, and may persist for several weeks before gradually subsiding. In some cases local symptoms may precede the development of generalised tetanus.

Cephalic tetanus

Cephalic tetanus is a particular form of generalized tetanus, occurring when the tetanus spores enter through the middle ear, following a middle ear infection or a head injury. Generalised disease may or may not develop and prognosis is often poor.

Generalised tetanus

Generalised tetanus accounts for about 80% of cases worldwide. After a period of general malaise, trismus (also known as lockjaw) develops; this is characterised by spasm of the facial muscles and produces a characteristic grinning expression (risus sardonicus). Stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, and rigidity of muscles in the back, thorax and extremities follow. Autonomic dysfunction is seen with the temperature rising between 2°C and & 4°C above normal, sweating, elevated blood pressure, and episodic rapid heart rate. Spasms lasting for several minutes also may occur and continue for 3 to 4 weeks. Complications include respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia and fractures of the spine or long bones resulting from sustained contractions/convulsions. With intensive medical support, death from tetanus occurs in 10-20% of cases.

Neonatal tetanus

Neonatal tetanus is the main form of tetanus in resource-poor areas of the world. Without specific treatment death occurs in more than 95% of cases, even with therapy mortality is still 25-90 % [13]. Death usually occurs secondary to infection of the umbilical stump if the end is cut with unsterilised instruments. The custom in some cultures is to smear animal dung on the open end of the stump. Failure to thrive, poor sucking, grimacing and irritability are quickly followed by intense rigidity and spasms.

Treatment

All wounds must be cleaned and debrided (if necessary) to remove the source of tetanospasmin
Human tetanus immunoglobulin and tetanus toxoid should be givenIntravenous antibiotics should be given to kill C.tetani Benzodiazepines can be used for sedation and to control the spasms. A neuromuscular blocker may be necessary.
Intubation and respiratory support if needed
Intensive medical and nursing care in quiet, darkened conditions.

Prevention

Effective vaccination is available and all persons should be immunised regardless of age.

Travellers should be up to date on their tetanus immunisation, be aware of the risk of accidents while travelling, and the importance of seeking urgent medical attention in the case of a penetrating wound.

Answer 8

As far as I know, you can get tetanus when you cut yourself on a rusty tin or maybe any similar material. you do ned to have a tetanus injection if this has happened to prevent gangerene. have it checked out quick.

Answer 9

Aww thats gotta be painful. You usually get it from being wounded by a contaminated object

I found some links for you:
http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/tetanus-1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/tetanus2.shtml

Answer 10

TETANUS IS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS LOCKJAW.ITS NOT SOMETHING YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT. AS TO HOW YOU GET IT.IM NOT SURE.I DONT NO WHAT THE CURE IS ETHIER SORRY