Tetanus is an infectious disease transmitted by the bacterium Clostridium tetani , which can be found in the soil, dust and feces of animals, as they inhabit your intestines.
The transmission of tetanus happens when the spores of this bacterium, which are small structures not visible to the naked eye, enter the body through some opening in the skin, such as deep wounds or burns, for example. This type of infection is even more recurrent, when the wound occurs due to contact with a contaminated object, such as a rusty nail.
Since wounds are very common during life, and they cannot always be protected from contact with bacteria, the best way to prevent the emergence of tetanus is to vaccinate with the tetanus vaccine, during childhood and every 10 years. In addition, washing all cuts and scrapes also helps to decrease the risk of getting the disease.
Find out more about the tetanus vaccine and when to take it.
How to get
Despite being an infectious disease, tetanus is not transmitted from person to person. The most common ways to get tetanus are through:
- Wounds dirty with saliva or animal feces, for example; Wounds caused by sharp objects, such as nails and needles; Injuries accompanied by necrotic tissue; Scratches caused by animals; Burns; Tattoos and piercings; Rusty objects.
In addition to the usual forms, tetanus can be contracted more rarely through superficial wounds, surgical procedures, contaminated insect bites, exposed fractures, use of intravenous drugs, dental infections and intramuscular injections.
The transmission of tetanus occurs when the spores of its causative agent penetrate the skin through cuts, which can cause stiffness and muscle spasms. Know what are the symptoms of tetanus.
In addition, tetanus can also be transmitted to newborns through contamination of the umbilical stump during delivery. Infection of the newborn is quite serious and needs to be identified and treated as soon as possible.
How to avoid catching tetanus
The most common and main way to avoid tetanus is through vaccination in the first months of life, which is carried out in three doses and aims to stimulate the production of antibodies that defend the body against the causative agent of the disease. The effects of this vaccine do not last a lifetime, so you should take booster every 10 years. Learn more about the tetanus vaccine.
Another way of prevention is through the dTpa vaccine, also called the triple bacterial acellular vaccine for adults, which guarantees protection against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
In addition, to prevent the occurrence of tetanus it is important to pay attention and care for wounds, keeping them covered and clean, always washing your hands, avoiding delaying the healing process and not using shared sharps, such as needles.
