Description Tetanus commonly kn...
Description
Tetanus commonly known as "lockjaw" is a very serious illness caused by the Clostridium tetani (C. tetani). The C. tetani bacteria live in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. These bacteria enter the body through a contaminated deep cut or from a puncture wound. They produce a neurotoxin which causes the body to develop severe painful muscle spasms. Tetanus is a medical emergency and should be seen at a hospital. Without immediate treatment tetanus can result in death.
Symptoms
Early symptoms involve painful muscle contractions and jaw spasms. As the infection progresses the neurotoxins can affect other parts of the body including the chest, neck, back, abdominal muscles and buttocks. Symptoms may first appear anytime from a few days to several weeks after the bacteria enters the body through the contaminated wounds. More serious symptoms may include involvement of breathing muscles, which can lead to respiratory failure the most common symptom leading to death.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. There is no specific blood test or imaging study that can accurately lead to the diagnosis of the condition. The diagnosis is considered after other conditions that can present with similar symptoms are excluded such as meningitis, rabies or Botulinus. Cultures can be obtained from the wound, to try to identify the bacteria.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. There is no specific blood test or imaging study that can accurately lead to the diagnosis of the condition. The diagnosis is considered after other conditions that can present with similar symptoms are excluded such as meningitis, rabies or Botulinus. Cultures can be obtained from the wound, to try to identify the bacteria.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
Tetanus should not occur if a person has been keeping up with regular tetanus immunization. Tetanus is a medical emergency and should be seen at a hospital. Treatment options depends on the severity of the symptoms. If symptoms are mild, the infected wound is cleaned with debridement to avoid any further progression of the condition. Immune globin should be administered within 24 hours of onset of the symptoms. Immune globin contains antitoxin that neutralizes the tetanus toxin, helping to prevent any further penetration of the neurotoxin. Muscle spasms are also treated with common muscle relaxers such as Valium or Ativan. Antibiotics are given if the doctor suspects the bacteria producing the toxin still are alive. If more serious symptoms are present that affect the ability for the patient to breath and/or swallow, the patient can be put on a breathing machine in the intensive care unit (ICU) until normal breathing returns. Symptoms on average may last 3-4 weeks, but complete rehabilitation may take several months. Once the condition begins to improve, shots are scheduled to restore tetanus immunity.