Tetanus is a short-term or acute disease that affects victim rapidly. Within a short period of time from contracting the actual Tetanus symptoms, the disease starts to affect vigorously. Often times, Tetanus turns out to be a fatal disease.
Classification of Tetanus:
The tetanus disease can be broadly classified into four categories:
1. Generalized tetanus signs are felt across all the skeletal muscles. Of all four types, generalized tetanus symptoms are the most common and most severe.
2. Local tetanus signs include severe muscle spasms that pertain to the area encompassing the wound which has the respective bacteria infection.
3. Cephalic tetanus symptoms are such that they affect one or several facial muscles in rapid time immediately after an ear infection or head injury. There is a chance of ‘lockjaw’, also known as ‘Trismus’ occuring. The disease can easily go on and progress into a more severe form of generalized tetanus.
4. Neonatal tetanus is the same as generalized tetanus except for the fact that it primarily affects infants who are less than one month old.
Signs and Symptoms of Tetanus:
The early symptoms of Tetanus in general are,
1. Stiffness in muscles
Stiffness due to muscle cramps,weakness and soreness in muscles, difficulty in swallowing and persistent irritability are some of the common symptoms.
2. Spasms in jaw
Often times, the ones to get affected first are the facial muscles. As a consequence, mild to severe spasms are felt in the jaw muscles. One of the most common conditions to result from the spasms of the jaw muscles is Trismus or lockjaw. Mostly this spasms occur in the muscles that are responsible for chewing. Medically termed risus sardonicus and more commonly known as a ‘Sardonic smile’ direct consequence of facial muscle spasms.
3. Spasms in muscles
The muscle spasms are generally progressive in nature, moving on from spasms of mild nature to those that are severe. A characteristic arching of the back, known by the medical term opisthotonus may accompany the spasms. When the muscle spasms are of an intense nature, it may even cause the bones to break and the joints to dislocate.
4. Breathing difficulty
In severe cases of tetanus, there may occur spasms of the vocal cords or muscles that are responsible for the breathing mechanism. This may lead to death, unless immediate medical help and care is given. It would require mechanical ventilation with a respirator to be readily available.
Diagnosis of Tetanus
It is advisable to go for medical consultation once the first symptoms of tetanus appear. Then the doctor proceeds with the diagnosis through clinical procedures.
Causes of Tetanus:
This is a disease pertaining to the nervous system and it is mainly caused by way of the production of nerve toxins that directly affects the nervous system. Clostridium tetani is the bacterium that is responsible for the release of the said nerve toxins. Mainly, they are found in soil and sometimes even in animal and human intestines.This bacterium is prevalent in large parts of the world.
There is a common misconception that a person coming in contact with rust will definitely contract tetanus. In reality, the rusty material just provides a favorable habitat in which the bacteria can thrive.
The tetanus bacteria infects by way of getting introduced through some of its spores into already damaged tissues along with some other types of foreign bodies so that the bacteria essential conditions favorable to its growth are provided with.. Tetanus transmission is not done directly from one person to another person. Instead, tetanus spores creep the body through wounds that are heavily contaminated with dust, soil, animal intestines and feces, burns, lacerations; or even trivial or unnoticed wounds.
Immune globulin, given intramuscularly, is one of the options available for the immediate treatment of individuals exposed to material that are likely carriers of the tetanus bacteria. Bed rest and a quiet environment is absolutely necessary for the patient to recuperate.
For the eradication of the bacteria, a tetanus shot with anti microbial drugs are used.
The spasms can be controlled by mechanical ventilation using a respirator and sedation, paralysis with certain medications.