Question

Discuss the prevention and treatment of tetanus.

Answer 1

Tetanus caused by Clostridium tetani also termed as Lock Jaw. Bacterial toxins affects the brain and nervous system, leads to stiffness of muscles

Prevention:

Vaccination: Tetanus vaccine is the best way to prevent, given as the combined vaccine with other as a part of childhood vaccination. First dose given in 6 weeks of age. The booster doses in the age of 3.5 and in between 12 to 15 years of age. If needed booster doses recommended for all age groups.

Wound care: immediately care must be taken in case of wounds. Don't delay to provide first aid even to small wounds. Wash the wounds with soap and water. If necessary reach out doctor at earliest.

Treatment:

Treatment requires tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics.

Wound patient treated with tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG), injected to veins for immediate short term protection.

Doctors prescribes metronidazole or penicillns for treatment. This prevents bacterial multiplication.

Muscle spasms can be treated by follows,

Anticonvulsant, like diazepam given.

Muscle relaxants like baclofen used

Neuromuscular blocking agents useful in controlling spasms used ( pancuronium and vericuronim)

Surgery

While wounds are very large surgical removal of the infected muscle made (Debriment)

Nutrition: patient required to take calorie rich foods because of increase of muscle activity.

Ventilator: provided to the patient with breathing problems dude to respiratory or vocal cord muscles affected.