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    Tetanus

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    alienyy
    The document provides information about tetanus, a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. It details what tetanus is, who gets it, how it spreads, symptoms, treatment to prevent it including vaccination, and complications. Maintaining immunization is key to prevention.

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    Tetanus

    Uploaded by

    alienyy
    3 views2 pages
    The document provides information about tetanus, a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. It details what tetanus is, who gets it, how it spreads, symptoms, treatment to prevent it including vaccination, and complications. Maintaining immunization is key to prevention.

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    tetanus vaccine

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    The document provides information about tetanus, a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. It details what tetanus is, who gets it, how it spreads, symptoms, treatment to prevent it including vaccination, and complications. Maintaining immunization is key to prevention.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    3 views2 pages

    Tetanus

    Uploaded by

    alienyy
    The document provides information about tetanus, a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. It details what tetanus is, who gets it, how it spreads, symptoms, treatment to prevent it including vaccination, and complications. Maintaining immunization is key to prevention.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Tetanus Fact Sheet

    1. What is Tetanus? - Tetanus, commonly called ‘lockjaw’, is a bacterial disease


    caused by Clostridium tetani that affects the nervous system. As a result of
    widespread immunization, Tetanus is now a rare disease.

    2. Who gets Tetanus? - Tetanus occurs more often in older people, who are most
    likely to have waning immunity, and in agricultural workers for whom contact with
    animal manure is more likely, and immunization is inadequate.

    3. How is Tetanus spread? - Tetanus is contracted through a wound which


    becomes contaminated with the organism. It is not transmitted from person to
    person. While classically tetanus is associated with stepping on a rusty nail, the
    disease occurs when any wound or cut is contaminated with soil (i.e. a dirty
    wound). Tetanus can also occur following drug injection using contaminated
    needles, equipment, or drugs.

    4. Where is the Tetanus germ found? - The Tetanus germ is present throughout
    the environment and is commonly found in soil contaminated with manure.

    5. What are the symptoms of Tetanus? - A common first sign of Tetanus is


    muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty
    in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating, and fever.

    6. How soon after infection do symptoms occur? - The incubation period is


    usually eight days, but may range from three days to three weeks. Shorter
    incubation periods are associated with more heavily contaminated wounds.

    7. Does past infection with Tetanus make a person immune? - Recovery from
    Tetanus may not result in immunity. Secondary attacks can occur and immunization
    is indicated after recovery.

    1
    8. What is the treatment to prevent Tetanus? - Wounds should be thoroughly
    cleaned and dead or devitalized tissue removed. If the patient has not had a
    Tetanus toxoid booster in the previous 10 years, a single booster injection should
    be administered on the day of the injury. For severe wounds, a booster may be
    given if more than five years have elapsed since the last dose. Tetanus immune
    globulin (TIG), antitoxin or antibiotics may be given if the patient has not been
    previously immunized with a series of at least three doses of toxoid.

    9. What are the complications associated with Tetanus? - Complications


    include spasm of the vocal cords and/or spasms of the respiratory muscles causing
    difficulty breathing. Other complications include fractures of the spine or long
    bones, high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeats, coma, generalized infection,
    clotting in the blood vessels of the lung, pneumonia, and death.

    10. Is there a vaccine for Tetanus? - An effective vaccine called Tetanus toxoid
    has been available for many years. Tetanus toxoid in combination with diphtheria
    toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is given at two, four, six and 12-15
    months of age, and between four and six years of age. A Tetanus booster shot is
    recommended every 10 years. In 2005, a new combination Tetanus, diphtheria and
    acellualar pertussis vaccine (Tdap) was approved for use in adolescents and adults.
    Tdap is recommended for use in all 11-12 year olds and 15 year olds at high school
    entry. For all adults a diphtheria-containing vaccine should be given every 10 years
    to maintain immunity. The next one of these doses should be Tdap if it has not
    been given previously.

    11. What can be done to prevent Tetanus? - The single most important
    preventive measure is to maintain a high level of immunization in the community.

    12. For more information about Tetanus:

    http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/default.htm

    This fact sheet provides general information. Please contact your physician for
    specific clinical information related to you or your animal.

    March 26, 2013

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