Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually made clinically, i.e. by the symptoms mentioned above. An indication may be a possible entry point, an open wound. The toxin can be detected in the blood.
Therapy
Due to the high mortality rate, patients must be hospitalized. If the tetanus toxin has already spread, there is no longer any possibility of treatment. The doctor tries to maintain adequate respiration.
The wound should be carefully cut out to remove dead tissue and dirt. A neutralization of the toxin is possible. However, it only works against the poison that has not yet reached the brain. Any damage that the brain tissue has already taken is unfortunately irreversible (irreversible).
Prophylaxis
In order to prevent the infection, a vaccination can be administered. The tetanus vaccination is one of the standard vaccinations for children. It should also be refreshed every 10 years in adults.
It is the only protection against this disease. Even if a tetanus infection is suspected and the vaccination protection is insufficient or unknown, the patient is vaccinated immediately. If the patient cannot remember the last vaccination, no vaccination record is available or if the patient is unconscious, the vaccination is usually carried out on suspicion. It is also possible after contact with the pathogen to take a measure to protect the body and thus escape the outbreak of the disease.
Prognosis
The mortality rate of the tetanus infection is about 20 percent in intensive care treatment. Without care, the mortality rate is much higher because patients eventually suffocate. Thanks to the high vaccination rate, the number of cases of the disease in Europe is declining steadily. Other countries, however, still have high infection rates.If the tetanus infection is survived, permanent damage to the nervous system with muscle weakness or paralysis remains.