Tetanus is an acute infectious disease with hypertonicity of the skeletal muscles, periodically occurring convulsions, increased excitability, general intoxication, and high mortality.
The causative agent of the disease is a large anaerobic bacillus. This form of microorganism is capable of producing the strongest toxin (poison), causing increased secretion at neuromuscular junctions. The microorganism is widely distributed in nature, stored in the soil for many years. It is a frequent harmless inhabitant of the intestines of many domestic animals. The source of infection is animals, the transmission factor is soil.
Symptoms and course of tetanus. The incubation period is approximately 5-14 days. The smaller it is, the more severe the disease. The disease begins with discomfort in the wound area (drawing pains, muscle twitching within the wound); probably general malaise, anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite, headache, chills, low-grade fever. Because of the cramps of the masticatory muscles (trismus), it is difficult for the patient to open his mouth, sometimes even unbelievably. Spasm of the swallowing muscles causes the appearance of a “sardonic smile” on the face, and also makes it difficult to swallow. These early symptoms are unique to tetanus. Later, stiffness of the occipital muscles, long muscles of the back develops with increased pain in the back: a person is forced to lie in a typical position with his head thrown back and the lumbar part of the body raised above the bed. By 3-4 days, there is tension in the abdominal muscles: the legs are extended, movements in them are sharply limited, the movements of the hands are somewhat freer. Due to the sharp tension of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, breathing is superficial and rapid. Due to the contraction of the muscles of the perineum, urination and defecation are difficult. There are general convulsions lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more of varying frequency, often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. hand movements are somewhat freer. Due to the sharp tension of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, breathing is superficial and rapid. Due to the contraction of the muscles of the perineum, urination and defecation are difficult. There are general convulsions lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more of varying frequency, often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. hand movements are somewhat freer. Due to the sharp tension of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, breathing is superficial and rapid. Due to the contraction of the muscles of the perineum, urination and defecation are difficult. There are general convulsions lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more of varying frequency, often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. Due to the contraction of the muscles of the perineum, urination and defecation are difficult. There are general convulsions lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more of varying frequency, often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. Due to the contraction of the muscles of the perineum, urination and defecation are difficult. There are general convulsions lasting from a few seconds to a minute or more of varying frequency, often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. often provoked by external stimuli (touching the bed, etc.). The face of the sick person turns blue and expresses suffering. As a result of convulsions, asphyxia, paralysis of cardiac activity and respiration can occur. Consciousness throughout the disease and even during convulsions is preserved. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis. Tetanus is traditionally accompanied by an increase in temperature and constant sweating (in many cases from the addition of pneumonia and even sepsis). The higher the temperature, the worse the prognosis.
With a positive outcome, the clinical manifestations of the disease last 3-4 weeks or more, but traditionally on the 10-12th day, the state of health improves significantly. Those who have had tetanus for a long time may experience general weakness, muscle stiffness, weakness of cardiovascular activity.
Complications: pneumonia, muscle rupture, compression fracture of the spine.
Treatment of tetanus is complex:
- surgical treatment of the wound;
- providing complete rest to the patient;
- neutralization of the toxin circulating in the blood;
- reduction or removal of convulsive syndrome;
- prevention and treatment of complications, especially pneumonia and sepsis;
- maintaining normal blood gas composition, acid-base and water-electrolyte balance;
- fight against hyperthermia;
- maintaining adequate cardiovascular activity;
- improvement of lung ventilation;
- proper nutrition of the patient;
- control over body functions, careful patient care.
Forecast. Mortality in tetanus is very high, the prognosis is serious.
Prevention of tetanus. Routine immunization of the population with tetanus toxoid. Injury prevention at work and at home.