Synonyms in a broader sense
lockjaw, Clostridium tetani
Summary
Tetanus is an infectious disease. The responsible bacteria live everywhere in the earth or dust. They get into wounds and multiply.
A blockage leads to uncontrollable muscle cramps. The tetanus is treated with antibiotics in the hospital to kill the pathogen of the poison. A tetanus vaccination is possible and is one of the standard vaccinations for children. After 10 years a refreshment of the vaccination protection becomes due.
OccurrenceEpidemiology
In Germany there are only about 10 cases per year. This is due to the high vaccination rate. However, 25% of the cases are fatal.
Tetanus is caused by infection with certain bacteria. These bacteria (Clostridium tetani) are found everywhere in the earth and dust. They are resistant (insensitive) to drought and heat, so they survive outside the body for a long time and remain infectious for years.
The infection occurs through dirty wounds. There is a particular risk of infection if small foreign bodies remain in the wound. The bacteria multiply and release a poison.
This toxin is transported along the nerves or via the blood to the brain. The effect of the tetanus toxin is to block processes in muscle contraction. To contract, the muscles receive a signal from nerve cells.
This is where the tetanus toxin attacks. It blocks the channels that are supposed to pass on the information of the contraction by placing itself in the channels instead of the body’s own substances. This leads to uncontrollable muscle contractions and muscle cramps.
SymptomsComplaints
The most common symptom of tetanus is the mouth barrier. The cramping of the facial musculature results in the typical facial expression, which reminds one of a devilish laugh (med. : risus sardonicus).
The typical symptoms appear after 3 to 20 days: The further the disease progresses, the more threatening the patient’s symptoms become. The disease spreads from the head downwards. Initially, only the face is affected by the cramps.
Later, cramps of the abdominal and back muscles follow, and the bowel and bladder muscles also cramp. Eventually, the cramping of the respiratory muscles leads to death, so that the patient is no longer able to breathe.
- Headaches
- Neck Stiffener
- Stiffness in the temporomandibular joint
- Swallowing disorders
- Muscle cramps
- Facial muscle cramp
- Risk of aspiration (inhalation of food and drink) and breathing difficulties