Tetanus
By Beth Zuber
Signs and Symptoms
- Stiffness and Spasms of the jaw neck and other muscles.
- Muscular Irritability
- Fever
Incubation is anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks (Average of 8 Days)
Severe spasms can effect the neck and respiratory muscles, making it hard to breathe
Steps to Tetanus
- Clostridium tetani (tetanus causing bacteria)
- enters through deep wounds
- produce tetanospasmin
- affects the nerves
- causes muscles stiffness and spasm
Homeostasis and Levels of Organization
So, the toxin binds/interacts with inhibitory neuron transmitters (Chemicals that prevent contractons) and the contractions can not be stopped, therefore it continues.
Diagnosis
Treatment and Prognosis
Prevention
- Tetanus immunization shot to prevent it (with booster)
If you have a wound
- Keep the wound clean
- Consider the source (call a doctor)
- Use and antibiotic
- Cover the wound
- Change the dressing
In Serious Cases
- If there was no previous treatment the patient will need immediate treatment
- they will require a muscle relaxant (Diazepam).
- If the contractions continue a neuromuscular blocker will be needed
- They will also need high dose antibiotics
- Surgery may be done to clean out the wound
- The patient will live unless they do not get treatment (10% with treatment, 1 in 4 without)
- Death would be caused by respiratory failure or exhaustion
Recent Advances
Citations
Introduction to Tetanus. (2011, February 7). In Family Medicine Help. Retrieved April 4, 2013
Microbiology annimation. (2008). In W. W. Notron and Company. Retrieved April 7, 2013
Clostridium tetani. (n.d.). In University of Connecticut-molecular and cell biology. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://web.uconn.edu/mcbstaff/graf/Student%20presentations/C%20tetani/Ctetani.html
Tetanus. (2010, September 10). In Mayo clinic. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tetanus/DS00227/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis