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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?

  

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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.
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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.
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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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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.
  
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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.
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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
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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

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  3-21 days (average 10 days)

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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.
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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).
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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.