Tetanus

A Report By:
Apilado, Alyssa Marie
Agonoy, Catalina
What is tetanus?
An acute, often fatal, disease of the nervous
system that is caused by nerve toxins produced
by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, found
throughout the world in the soil, and in animal
and human intestines
 TETANUS

caused by nerve toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani

found throughout the world in soil and in animal and human intestines

-- transmitted
transmitted through
through open
open wounds
wounds particularly
particularly punctured
punctured wound
wound caused
caused by
by nails,
nails, splinters
splinters and
and insect
insect bites
bites
-- can also be introduced through burns, any break in the skin and injection
can also be introduced through burns, any break in the skin and injection sites sites
-- favorable
favorable in
in deep
deep wounds,
wounds, and
and those
those with
with devitalizing
devitalizing tissue
tissue

-- attacks
attacks the
the neuromuscular
neuromuscular junction,
junction, causing
causing the
the tonic
tonic contraction
contraction of
of muscles
muscles or
or spasm
spasm
-- in neonates, it causes muscle spasms, inability to nurse and seizures
in neonates, it causes muscle spasms, inability to nurse and seizures

-- muscle
muscle spasms
spasms in
in the
the affected
affected wound
wound area
area may
may progress
progress toto involve
involve the
the whole
whole body
body in
in aa set
set of
of continuous
continuous muscle
muscle contraction
contraction
-- lock jaw (trismus)
lock jaw (trismus)
-- muscles
muscles essential
essential for
for breathing
breathing are
are also
also affected;
affected; if
if muscles
muscles lose
lose power,
power, breathing
breathing becomes
becomes impossible,
impossible, causing
causing death
death to
to the
the patient
patient
Where can it grow?
Contaminated wounds
Deep wounds
Wounds with devitalized tissues
Injection sites
Burns
Punctured wounds caused by nails, splinters and/or insect
bites

Note: The potent toxin produced when the tetanus

bacteria multiply is the major cause of harm in this disease
Damages done by tetanus to the body
Affects the neuromuscular junction, causing muscles
to tighten up in a tonic contraction. This can either be
localized or generalized.
Affects neonates by causing muscle spasms, inability
to nurse, and seizures
What are the signs and symptoms?
1-7 days: progressive muscle spasms, caused by the tetanus
toxin in the immediate wound area may progress to involve
the entire body in a set of continuous muscle contractions.
Restlessness, headache, and irritability present.
Trismus (lockjaw)
Vital muscles necessary for breathing also affected
Breathing is difficult, or even impossible, and death can
occur
Even with presence of breathing support, infections of the
airway in the lungs can cause death
How can you prevent
Passive immunization:
tetanus?
Administered with specialized immunoglobulin
Active immunization:
Initial dose given at six weeks after birth, with
three doses, with four weeks interval
Also given to mothers to protect their children
from acquiring tetanus at birth
 TETANUS TOXOID IMMUNIZATION FOR
Vaccine
WOMEN
Minimum Percent Duration of Protection
Age/Interval Protected
TT1 As early as possible -- --
during pregnancy
TT2 At least 4 weeks later 80%  infants born to the mother will be
protected from neonatal tetanus
 gives 3 years protection for the
mother

TT3 At least 6 months 95%  infants born to the mother will be

later protected from neonatal tetanus
 gives 5 years protection for the
mother

TT4 At least 1 year later 99%  infants born to the mother will be
protected from neonatal tetanus
 gives 10 years protection for the
mother

TT5 At least 1 year later 99%  gives lifetime protection for the
mother
 all infants born to that mother will
be protected
DIAZEPAM (VALIUM)
 Mainstay of treatment of tetanic spasms and tetanic seizures.
Depresses all levels of CNS, including limbic and reticular
formation, possibly by increasing activity of GABA, a major
inhibitory neurotransmitter.
 Contraindication: Documented hypersensitivity; narrow-

angle glaucoma
 Pregnancy D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if

benefits outweigh risk to fetus

 Precautions: Caution in patients receiving other CNS

depressants; caution in patients with low albumin levels or

hepatic failure because diazepam toxicity may increase