Vaccination against tetanus

Proven content

Tetanus is a disease that affects the nervous system. It is caused by a tetanus toxin, a neurotoxin produced by tetanus bacilli. These bacteria can be found in soil, dust, water, and the digestive system of animals. Therefore, the path of infection can be any injury to the body, and therefore even minor cuts.

There can be many sources of tetanus infection. Symptoms of the disease appear within 3-21 days, but usually it is about 8 days. Then we feel a feeling of breakdown, we cannot sleep, we have a headache, we get trapped jaw or blood pressure disorders. Complications include, for example, pneumonia, vertebral fractures, myocarditis, and even death (from 30 to 50 cases per 100 cases). Check how to protect yourself from getting sick.

What is tetanus?

Tetanus is a serious disease of the nervous system with a severe course. Its characteristic feature is muscle contractions. The disease usually develops as a result of infection of wounds with an anaerobic bacterium, i.e. tetanus. For this to happen, it is enough to stain the wound with soil. Tetanus rods reproduce under anaerobic conditions and produce a toxin that damages the nervous system. It is manifested by an increase in muscle tension and their strong contractions.

Tetanus bacilli are found in the digestive tract of animals, from where they are excreted into the environment. Tetanus bacteria are present all over the world, but the disease is much more common in countries with poor hygiene standards. Getting sick does not give permanent immunity.

Check: Are Flu Vaccines Safe?

How can you catch tetanus?

Tetanus is rarely found in developed countries today, but bacteria are very common. Therefore, tetanus is still a threat to unvaccinated people. Although it is contagious, it is not contagious. This means that contact with a sick person will not lead to infection.

Worldwide, about 50 die every year as a result of tetanus. people. The elderly, patients with burns, surgical wounds, and drug addicts are much more likely to become ill. Usually, death occurs in people over 50.

When does infection occur after the wound becomes dirty?

Tetanus bacilli require an anaerobic environment to develop. Therefore, tetanus often develops in deep wounds with tissue necrosis. If a patient has shallow wounds, tetanus can develop only when there is co-infection with aerobic bacteria that will consume oxygen and create anaerobic conditions for tetanus. Tetanus usually develops in deep and crushed wounds. The wound must be contaminated with earth, animal dung, or a foreign body with tetanus sticks.

Check: Combined vaccines – advantages and disadvantages of 5in1 and 6in1 vaccinations

How do tetanus toxins work?

Tetanus bacteria produce tetanospazmine, tetanolysin and fibrinolysin at the site of infection. The first of these attacks the nerve cells by binding to the peripheral motor neuron. The toxin then enters the axon and travels to the brainstem and spinal cord. There, it damages the synapse, and as a consequence, the motor neurons are constantly over-stimulated. This leads to excessive muscle tension and stress attacks. Tetanolysin causes the breakdown of erythrocytes and leads to tissue necrosis.

What clinical forms does tetanus take?

Taking into account the patient’s age and the place of infection with tetanus, the following should be mentioned:

1. generalized form – it affects as much as 80% of cases and it is the most severe form of tetanus;
2. local figure;
3. cranial figure;
4. neonatal tetanus.

Check: Mandatory vaccinations for children – what should you remember?

What is the course of the disease?

Symptoms of tetanus may appear between 2 and 40 days after infection. Usually, however, it is 1 or 2 weeks. In some cases, however, this period may be extended to several months. The disease develops most rapidly in newborns and in the case of wound infections in the vicinity of the nerves. The shorter the incubation period of the disease, the more severe its course and the higher the mortality rate:

1. systemic tetanus – the first symptoms are sensory disturbances or hyperesthesia, anxiety, headaches or a feeling of increased muscle tension. Over time, there is tension in the jaw muscles and the masseter, which leads to trismus. The patient begins to have swallowing problems. The contraction spreads to other parts of the muscles, the facial muscles contract (the so-called sardonic smile). The contractions begin to affect the muscles of the neck, chest, limbs and back. There are also seizures every 5-10 seconds due to noise or touch. These stresses can be very painful and may involve the respiratory muscles, causing symptoms of suffocation. The vertebrae can even break during seizures. They become stronger and more frequent over time. The sick person is conscious all the time. In addition, the patient also develops, for example, anxiety, fluctuations in blood pressure, sweating, fever, increased heart rate and breathing. There are breathing disorders, shortness of breath, apnea, loss of consciousness. Treatment is carried out in an intensive care unit in a hospital. Despite enormous medical advances, the disease is still 40% fatal;
2. classic tetanus attack – the patient has clenched teeth. There is a strong tension in the paraspinal muscles, torso and neck. The body is arched backwards. The constrictions are extremely painful and, if they affect the respiratory muscles, can lead to suffocation. During seizures, vertebrae fractures in the thoracic spine may occur. These seizures increase in intensity and frequency, and the patient is aware of them all the time;
3. local tetanus – increased muscle tension appears in the area of ​​the wound, there is no trismus, unless the infected wound is in the area of ​​the head or neck. The tensions are weaker and shorter. This form of tetanus is not as dangerous as the generalized form. The risk of death is lower. The local form is less common;
4. cranial tetanus – it appears in developing countries, such as Africa, India. This form of the disease develops on the basis of otitis media. It is related to the cranial nerves, especially the facial nerve;
5. newborn tetanus – it is a very severe form of tetanus with a rapid course. The first symptoms are visible as early as 2-3 days after the infection. These are contractions of the muscles of the jaw and face that quickly lead to trismus. It makes it impossible to breastfeed your baby. The contractions cover the entire body of the newborn as it arches. Tetanus attacks trigger external stimuli such as light, sound, and touch. Death occurs within 3-28 days.

Check: Vaccines – modern weapons

How is tetanus diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and clinical picture of the disease. The main indication is the lack of vaccinations. It is also necessary to exclude diseases that are similar in course to various poisonings.

What is the treatment of tetanus?

Treatment of tetanus is based on the administration of an antitoxin, which will neutralize the tetanus toxins. The patient requires hospitalization in the intensive care unit. The basis is a thorough surgical debridement of the wound, aimed at removing not only dead tissue, but also restoring proper circulation. During treatment, antibiotics may be given as an auxiliary.

How can tetanus infection be prevented?

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent tetanus. They have been common in Poland since 1961. Today, tetanus vaccination is one of the compulsory and free vaccinations that are given to children and adolescents up to 19 years of age.

Vaccines administered protect against both tetanus, as well as diphtheria and pertussis. Adults should take booster doses every 10 years.

When an injury occurs, post-exposure prophylaxis is also often used. It involves the administration of anti-tetanus serum or a specific human immunoglobulin. People employed in agriculture, caring for farm animals whose work requires contact with soil, working on the removal of municipal waste and sewage, as well as devices for this purpose, have a greater risk of developing tetanus. The condition for effective prophylaxis is also an appropriate level of hygiene at work.

What complications can tetanus have?

Complications of tetanus depend on the patient’s age and the clinical form of the disease. However, it should be remembered that this is a very serious disease that can even lead to death.

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.