physiologicdeadspace: Tetanus is a disease caused by an infection of the bacteria ‘Clostridium
physiologicdeadspace: Tetanus is a disease caused by an infection of the bacteria ‘Clostridium tetani’, which can be found in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The main symptom of the infection is severe and painful muscle spams. The condition is also known as ‘lockjaw’, as the spasms begin the jaw before spreading throughout the body. These muscle spasms are so severe and intense that they can lead to fractures of the bones. Other symptoms include pyrexia, sweating, hypertension, tachycardia and difficulty swallowing. Approximately 10% of infections result in death from respiratory arrest. The vaccine for tetanus was developed in 1924 and adults are recommended to receive a booster vaccination every 10 years. Apart from outright prevention there is also an option of post-exposure prophylaxis. Treatment for tetanus when it does develop involves administration of tetanus immunoglobulin, an antibiotic and a muscle relaxant such as diazepam. In severe cases mechanical ventilation may be required to sustain respiration when respiratory muscles go into spasm. -- source link