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Tetanus: Causes and Prevention

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani spores entering the body through wounds. It causes painful muscle spasms and stiffness, especially in the jaw and neck. It occurs worldwide but is most common in tropical regions with contaminated soil. Prevention involves immunization with tetanus toxoid vaccines. Treatment focuses on wound care, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and preventing complications through respiratory support.

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220 views19 pages

Tetanus: Causes and Prevention

Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani spores entering the body through wounds. It causes painful muscle spasms and stiffness, especially in the jaw and neck. It occurs worldwide but is most common in tropical regions with contaminated soil. Prevention involves immunization with tetanus toxoid vaccines. Treatment focuses on wound care, antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and preventing complications through respiratory support.

Uploaded by

hap hazard
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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›  
 
2 What is Tetanus?

2 What Causes it?

2 Where is it found?

2 What are the health effects?

2 Prevention and Medicines

2 What should you do?


 
| 

2 n infectious, often fatal disease caused by a specific bacterium


that enters the body through wounds and characterized by
respiratory paralysis and tonic spasms and rigidity of the
voluntary muscles, esp. those of the neck and lower jaw.

2 The spore forming bacterium called Clostridium enters the body.

2 It can be prevented by immunization with tetanus toxoid


toxoid..

2 Characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of


skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw
(lockjaw) and neck and then becomes generalized.
 

2 Tetanus Remains a major public health problem in the


developing world and is still encountered in the
developed world.

2 Each year 800,000 to 1 million people die due to


tetanus.

2 80% of these deaths occur in frica and South East sia


and it remains endemic in 90 countries Worldwide.
º


2 It is the disease of active age (5-
(5-40 years), New born baby
and female during delivery or abortion.

2 Higher incidence in males than females.

2 gricultural workers are at higher risk.

2 Incidence of tetanus is much lower in city than in rural areas.

2 Environmental and social factors - Unhygienic customs and


habits, Unhygienic delivery practices.
| |   


2 Tetanus occurs worldwide but is most frequently


encountered in densely populated regions in hot, damp
climates with soil rich in organic matter.

2 Organisms are found primarily in the soil and intestinal


tracts of animals and humans.
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º  
›| 
› 


2   
 
   
 

 


 

2 º


   
   º
 
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› 


2 rurn victims, patients receiving intramuscular injections,


and with frostbite, dental infections, penetrating eye
injuries, and umbilical stump infections.

2 Tetanus has been reported after tooth extractions, root


canal therapy, and intraoral soft tissue trauma
  
  
2 Under anaerobic conditions, the spores geminate and
produce toxins.
2 The toxins are distributed via the lymphatic and
vascular circulations and then enters the nervous
system.
2 Toxin binds in central nervous system.
2 Interferes with neurotransmitter release to block
inhibitor impulses
2 Leads to unopposed muscle contraction and spasm.
 !  º 

"    


  
 
     

2 Stiffness of the neck, jaw, and other muscles, often accompanied by a


grotesque, grinning expression.
2 Irritability.
2 Uncontrollable spasms of the jaw and neck muscles.
2 Painful, involuntary contraction of other muscles.
2 In some cases, symptoms will develop in the absence of any cut or
wound that you can recall.
2 In addition, you may notice restlessness, lack of appetite, and drooling.
×  º 
- | 
2 People of all ages can get tetanus but it is particularly common and
serious in newborn babies. This is called neonatal tetanus.

2 Most infants who get the disease die. It is particularly common in


rural areas where most deliveries are at home without adequate
sterile procedures.

2 Common in newborn infant born without passive immunity.

2 Unvaccinated mothers, home delivery, and unhygienic cutting of the


umbilical cord.

2 History of neonatal tetanus in a previous child is a risk factor for


subsequent neonatal tetanus.

2 Estimated more than 257,000 deaths worldwide in 2000-


2000-2003*
2 6,653 reported cases in 2008
2 × |

 
Through a punctured wound contaminated with soil, street dust or animal
or human feces, through lacerations, burns or even unnoticed wounds
It can also follow after surgical operations including circumcision

 › 
 
 3-21 days (average 10 days)

 M # $ 

Prenatal check-up
Vaccination with tetanus toxoid (TT)
Training of birth attendants on safe delivery and proper cord dressing.
2 Some affected people may experience only pain and
tingling at the wound site and some spasms in nearby
muscles,
2 most people suffer stiff jaw and neck muscles, irritability
and difficulty swallowing.

2 It is seldom possible to find either the bacterium or the


toxin in a suspected tetanus patient,
2 so diagnosis can be made only on the basis of clinical
observations combined with the absence of a history of
tetanus immunization.
×
| 

2  simple test involves touching the oropharynx with a


spatula or tongue blade.
2 Usually, this test causes a gag reflex with the patient, and
the patient tries to expel the spatula.
(This means they have tested negative)
negative)

2 In tetanus, patients develop a reflex spasm of the


masseters and bite the spatula.
(a positive test).
test).
"%
› 


2 In general, If muscle spasms develop early, chances of


recovery are poor.

2 If patient survive tetanus he returns to pre-


pre-disease state of health.

2 Recovery is slow and usually occurs over 2-


2-4 months.

2 Clinical tetanus does not produce a state of immunity;


immunity; therefore,
patients who survive the disease require active immunization with
tetanus toxoid to prevent a recurrence.
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2 If you cut or injure yourself (puncture wounds lacerations,


abrasions and animal bites) see the doctor.

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