Symptoms of tetanus usually appear 2 to 28 days after infection caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani , which can be found in the soil and feces of animals. Infection usually occurs through the entry of bacteria spores into the body due to an injury or injury to the skin caused by an object contaminated by dirt, dust or feces from animals that have this bacteria in their body.
If you have a wound and think you may have tetanus, select your symptoms to find out what the risk is:
- 1. Painful muscle spasms throughout the body Yes No
- 2. Feeling of being clenching your teeth Yes No
- 3. Stiffness in the neck muscles Yes No
- 4. Difficulty swallowing Yes No
- 5. Hard and sore belly muscles Yes No
- 6. Fever below 38º C Yes No
- 7. Presence of infected wound on the skin Yes No
The toxin produced by the bacteria prevents the muscles from relaxing, that is, the muscle remains contracted, making the process of opening the mouth and swallowing, for example quite difficult and painful. In addition, if tetanus is not identified and treated, more muscles may be compromised, resulting in respiratory failure and putting the person's life at risk.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of tetanus is made by the general practitioner or infectious disease by assessing the signs and symptoms presented by the person, as well as their clinical history. Laboratory tests are often inconclusive, as a large amount of bacteria is required to confirm the diagnosis of tetanus, although the same amount of bacteria is not required for symptoms to appear.
How to avoid tetanus contamination
The main form of prevention is the tetanus vaccine, which is part of the national vaccination calendar, and should be administered in several doses to be taken at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age, with a booster between 4 and the 6 years. However, the vaccine does not last for life, and therefore it must be repeated every 10 years. Learn more about the tetanus vaccine.
In addition, it is also important to avoid making cuts on the skin, keeping all wounds covered and clean and looking for the appropriate treatment for burns and other types of wounds, which facilitate the entry of tetanus bacteria into the body.
See how tetanus is transmitted.
How to treat
Treatment for tetanus is usually started with the vaccine against this disease in order to stimulate the immune system, followed by an injection with a substance that neutralizes the toxins of the bacteria that have not yet bound to the nerves.
In addition, treatment may also include the use of antibiotics, muscle relaxants, such as Diazepam or Baclofen, and regular wound cleansing. Treatment is usually done at home, but in the most severe cases it may be necessary to stay for a few days. Understand how tetanus is treated.
