TETANUS IN ENGLISH

                                                   

                                              TETANUS IN ENGLISH

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TETANUS-

}  An acute disease induced by an exotoxin of the tetanus bacillus, which grows anaerobically at the site of an injury and is characatrised by painful spasms of the voluntary muscles, especially the masseters(known as "lock-jaw")

CAUSATIVE AGENT-

}  Clostridium tetani is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-bearing organism. The spores are highly resistant to a number of injurious agents, including boiling, phenol, cresol and autoclaving for 15 minutes at 120 degree.

}  The spores  germinate under anaerobic conditions and produce a powerful exotoxin "tetanospasmin". 

HOW IT SPREADS-

}  The natural habitat of the organism is soil and dust. The bacilli are found in the intestine of many herbivorous animals, e.g., cattle, horses, goats and sheep and are excreted in their faeces. The spores survive for years in nature.  

}  Mode of transmission—Tetanus spores are usually introduced into the body through a puncture wound contaminated with soil, street dust or animal or human feces through lacerations, burns and trivial or unnoticed wounds

}  Tetanus occasionally caused after surgical procedures, which are performed under unhygienic conditions. The presence of necrotic tissue and/or foreign bodies favors growth of the anaerobic pathogen.

}  Incubation period—Usually 3–21 days, although it may range from 1 day to several months, depending on the character, extent and location of the wound; average 10 days.

CLINICAL MENIFESTATIONS-

}  Clinically tetanus is characterized by muscular rigidity which persists throughout illness.

}  There is painful paroxysmal spasms of the voluntary muscles, especially the masseters (also known as "lock-jaw")

}  There may be presence of spasm of the facial muscles (known as risus sardonicus)

}  Presence of spasm of the muscles of the back and neck (known as opisthotonos)

}  spasm of muscles of the lower limbs and abdomen may also occur.

}  Mortality of tetanus is very high. Mortality range is between 40 to 80 percent.

DIAGNOSITC INVESTIGATIONS-

}  No special laboratory investigations are needed for tetanus. Only sign and symptoms are sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of tetanus.

TREATMENT-

}  Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. Tetanus is typically treated with a variety of therapies and medications, such as:

}  Antitoxins may be given to neutralize toxin.

}  Antibiotics may also be prescribed

}  Wound care- it is necessary to clean the wound by removing dirt and foreign body and dead tissue to prevent germination of spores and growth of bacteria

CONTROL AND PREVENTION-

}  Tetanus is a vaccine preventable disease. Tetanus toxoid is available as single vaccine and it is also available in combination as DPT, DT or pentavalent.

}  Health education regarding complete immunization and prevention of injury and proper care of open wound helps in prevention of tetanus

}  Prophylaxis with penicillin also helpful in protecting high risk group.

}  Proper treatment and cleaning of wounds can also help prevent the infection.

}  Vaccination in pregnancy can prevent neonatal tetanus.