Tetanus
PRESENTER: NAILA AND INAM
Objectives
At the end of this presentation the students will be able to:
Define Tetanus Toxiod.
Explain pathophysiology and Causes.
Describe Sign and symptoms.
Explain types and Diagnostic finding.
Describe medical, and nursing management of tetanus
toxiod.
Tetanus
Tetanus, also called lockjaw, is a serious infection caused
by Clostridium tetani. This bacterium produces a toxin
that affects the brain and nervous system, leading to
stiffness in the muscles. If Clostridium tetani spores are
deposited in a wound, the neurotoxin interferes with
nerves that control muscle movement.
Causative agent
Clostridium tetani
Tetanus is caused by an
infection with the bacterium
Clostridium tetani, which is
commonly found in soil,
saliva, and dust. The bacteria
generally enter through a
break in the skin such as a cut
or puncture wound by a
contaminated object.
Pathophysiology
.
Sign and Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of tetanus include:
Spasms and stiffness in jaw muscles (also called lock jaw)
Stiffness of neck muscles
Difficulty swallowing
Stiffness of abdominal muscles
Fever
Sweating
Painful body spasms lasting for several minutes, typically
triggered by minor occurrences, such as loud noise,
physical touch or light
Types of tetanus
UNCOMMON TYPES:
LOCAL TETANUS:
Persistent muscle contractions in the same anatomic area
as the injury, which will however subside after many
weeks; very rarely fatal.
CEPHALIC TETANUS:
Occurs with ear infections or following injuries of the
head; facial muscles contractions.
Common types:
GENERALIZED TETANUS
- descending pattern: lockjaw stiffness of neck
difficulty swallowing rigidity of abdominal and back
muscles.
- Spasms continue for 3-4 weeks, and recovery can last for
months
- Death occurs when spasms interfere with respiration.
NEONATAL TETANUS:
- Form of generalized tetanus that occurs in newborn
infants born without protective passive immunity because
the mother is not immune.
- Usually occurs through infection of the unhealed umbilical
stump, particularly when the stump is cut with an unsterile
instrument.
Methods of diagnosis
Based on the patient’s account and physical findings that
are characteristic of the disease.
Diagnostic studies generally are of little value, as cultures
of the wound site are negative for C. tetani two-thirds of
the time.
When the culture is positive, it confirms the diagnosis of
tetanus
Tests that may be performed include the following:
Culture of the wound site (may be negative even if
tetanus is present)
Tetanus antibody test
Other tests may be used to rule out meningitis, rabies,
or other diseases with similar symptoms.
Clinical treatment
Tetanus is typically treated with a variety of therapies and
medications, such as:
antibiotics such as penicillin to kill the bacteria in your system
tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to neutralize the toxins that the
bacteria have created in your body
muscle relaxers to control muscle spasms
a tetanus vaccine given along with the treatment
cleaning the wound to get rid of the source of the bacteria
In some cases, a surgical procedure called debridement is used
to remove dead or infected tissue. If you have difficulty
swallowing and breathing, you may need a breathing tube or
ventilator (a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs).
Nursing management
Provide complete bed rest to the patient.
Keep the patient in dim lighted, quite and well ventilated
room as spasm can be stimulated by bright light, noise or
even touch.
Fluid and electrolytes balance should be maintained.
Due to spasm and increased muscle activity patient need
extra high calorie and protein diet.
Change patient position every 2 hourly to prevent bed
sore.
care of wound such as removal of necrosed tissue, cleaning
with hydrogen peroxide and treatment with antibiotic
ointment is done.
References
Breslow, Lester. (2002). “Tetanus.” Encyclopedia of Public
Health. New York : Macmillan Reference USA/Gale Group
Thomson Learning.
Lederberg, J. (2003) Clostridia. Encyclopedia of
Microbiology. New York, NY: Academic Press. 1, 834-839.
Olendorf, D., et al. (1999).“Tetanus.” The Gale encyclopedia
of medicine. Detroit : Gale Research.
http://nfid.org/powerof10/section2/factsheet-tetanus.html
http://www.who.int/vaccines/en/neotetanus.shtml
http://www.who.int/vaccines-
surveillance/StatsAndGraphs.htm
