If you step on a rusty nail then you face the risk of a tetanus infection. Tetanus is a bacterial disease which has a direct effect on the nervous system and in addition, it is often a fatal condition. The best thing you can do to avoid this problem is get a tetanus shot from a travel vaccine clinic. Let us explore more details about tetanus and how it can be prevented.
Tetanus – Causes, Symptoms, Risks, Treatment Options, and Prevention
As mentioned earlier, this infection affects the nervous system and results in the tightening of body muscles. It is also known as lockjaw since it causes the contraction of neck and jaw muscles. Gradually, these muscle contractions spread to other sections of the body.
The Risks
If proper treatment is not done, then this type of infection proves to be life threatening, with between ten to twenty percent of all tetanus infections being fatal.
Death is common in older adults and young children. You need to be aware of the fact that if you had tetanus before, your risk of a second infection is high if you are not protected by the vaccine.
However, it is a preventable infection when the vaccine is administered. But, it is worth mentioning here that vaccine will not prevent the disease forever. You will have to visit a vaccination Montreal center and receive a booster shot every ten years to remain immune.
What causes tetanus?
Clostridium Tetani is the bacteria that causes tetanus. Bacteria spores are often present in animal droppings, dirt, and dust. In addition, these spores are able to withstand severe environmental conditions like high heat.
Infection occurs when these bacteria spores get into the bloodstream through a deep wound or a cut. After that these spores move into the nervous system and start producing tetanospasmin, which is one type of toxin.
The toxin is a form of poison which stops nerve signals moving from the spinal cord and results in serious muscle spasms.
This infection is often caused by:
- Puncture wounds due to tattoos, piercings, injection use
- Burns
- Crash injuries
- Wounds which are contaminated with saliva, feces, or dirt.
What are the symptoms of a tetanus infection?
As tetanus affects our nervous system and consequently the nerves which are responsible for controlling the muscles, an infected person faces problems swallowing. It can also lead to muscle stiffness and spasms in the neck, back, chest, abdomen, and the jaw.
Few of the other symptoms to keep note of are:
- Fever
- Fast beating of heart
- High blood pressure
- Sweating
The period between infection and the start of the illness, known as the incubation period is between three to twenty-one days. Normally, the symptoms start appearing within fourteen days from the date of infection.
You need to keep note of the fact that if an infection occurs at a faster rate after someone is exposed to the infection, then these cases are more severe and have a difficult prognosis.
What is the procedure used for the diagnosis of the infection?
Your medical practitioner will perform physical examinations to check the symptoms. Normally, laboratory tests are not performed for the diagnosis of the disease.
But, your medical practitioner may carry out a test to be sure that symptoms are not for any other disease that has similar symptoms. Diseases that have similar symptoms include rabies which result in brain swelling and meningitis that affects the spinal cord and the brain.
For the purpose of diagnosis, the doctor will also look into the patient’s immunization history. The risk will be higher for a person if he or she is not immunized or in the case where a booster tetanus shot is overdue.
What are the treatment options?
The method of treatment used will primarily depend upon how severe the symptoms are. Some of the treatment options include:
- Use of antibiotics like penicillin for killing the bacteria present in your body.
- Neutralization of the toxins by the use of tetanus immune globulin.
- Controlling muscle spasm by using muscle relaxers.
- Application of the tetanus vaccine.
- Proper cleaning of wound so that bacteria source can be removed.
In certain cases it becomes necessary to perform debridement, which is a surgical procedure that is utilized to remove the infected or dead tissue. In case, you are having problems in breathing or swallowing then a ventilator or breathing tube might be required.
What are complications that result from the tetanus infection?
In this section let us explore the complications that you may have to face. Health complications usually arise due to serious muscle spasms that occur due to tetanus. These health problems include:
- Breathing problems resulting from spasms occurring in the patients vocal cord which is known as laryngospasm. Breathing problems also occur because of spasms in muscles that are responsible for controlling breathing.
- Pneumonia, which is a lung infection.
- Damage to brain due to a lack of oxygen.
- Abnormal heart beat.
- Convulsions and muscle spasms resulting in spine and bone fractures.
How can the tetanus infection be prevented?
You can prevent the risk of tetanus by receiving the vaccination in Montreal. However, you need to make sure that you are receiving the booster tetanus shot according to a set schedule.
Normally, children are administered the tetanus vaccine as a DTap shot that stands for diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis shot. But, children require a booster shot at the age of eleven or twelve years.
After that adults require a booster vaccine known as Td vaccine that protects against diphtheria and tetanus. This vaccine is to be taken at an interval of every ten years.
Thus, if you think you have the symptoms of tetanus then you should immediately consult your medical practitioner so that proper diagnosis can be performed and treatment can be started promptly.
Such prompt action will ensure that the infection will not spread, and you will have to face less complications.