Tetanus
Tetanus is most commonly known by the general public as lockjaw. This nickname came from the fact that when a person is stricken by the poison released by this bacteria, every muscle in the body tenses up, including the jaw and facial muscles. Consequently, the mouth is locked in a painful grimace.
The tetanus vaccine stands out among all vaccines because it works better than any vaccines currently available. Historically, it has saved millions of lives and transformed world history. During World War I, before the tetanus vaccine was available, tetanus from injuries was the number one cause of death for soldiers on the battlefield. In contrast, out of 12 million soldiers in World War II, only six died from tetanus. Those who died were later found not to have received the tetanus vaccine.
Symptoms of Tetanus
Symptoms of tetanus include:
Jaw stiffness
Difficulty swallowing
Fever
Chills
Sore throat
Throat spasms
Stiff arms and legs, general muscle spasms
Facial muscle spasms
Back muscle spasms and stiffness
Difficulty breathing and respiratory spasms
Paralysis
Alert
Without proper and timely treatment, tetanus is almost always fatal. The tetanus toxin causes the entire body to tense up, leading to asphyxiation. Diagnosis is often delayed because most doctors do not recognize it due to the rarity of this condition in the United States today.
How Does One Catch It?
The bacteria that causes tetanus is present everywhere. It lives in the soil, and it can be found on any contaminated surface. It also lives inside the guts of people and animals.
The bacteria cannot penetrate normal healthy skin. It can gain access into the body only if there's a cut or wound. You can contract tetanus if you are injured by a dirty object or if your skin is dirty when it is injured. You cannot catch tetanus from another person with tetanus.
Essential
Contrary to common belief, you do not have to step on a rusty nail to contract tetanus. Any wound that is dirty can result in tetanus, but a deep penetrating injury is especially prone to tetanus infection.
Since the bacteria that causes tetanus is present in the intestines of people and animals, animal and human bites are common sources of tetanus infection. Also, in developing countries, newborn babies frequently die from tetanus because mothers are often not adequately immunized and dirty instruments are used to cut the umbilical cord at birth.
How Common Is the Infection?
In the United States, tetanus has become extremely rare. In the past decade, less than fifty cases of tetanus have been reported a year in this country. However, it is still a common problem worldwide, especially in parts of the world where the health-care system is deficient.
How Serious Is the Infection?
Tetanus is a life-threatening infection. The poison released by the bacterium causes simultaneous contraction of all the muscles in the body, including the muscles that allow you to breath. If the spasm lasts too long, death from asphyxiation results.
Is the Infection Treatable?
Antidote for the tetanus poison must be given promptly if the infection is likely. In addition to antibiotics, a booster vaccine should be given whenever tetanus is suspected. If the treatment is delayed, death can result despite the proper management. Thoroughly cleaning any wound is another way to reduce the chance of catching this infection.
