Causes of Tetanus

Any person who gets cut by a contaminated object is at the risk of getting tetanus infection.

Clostridium Tetani, being anaerobic,thrive best in the absence of oxygen. They are commonly found in the lower intestines and produce spores that survive for years.

As the bacteria grow and multiply, they produce a nerve toxin that does the damage. The toxin binds to nerve endings that calm the muscles due to which the muscles contract and become rigid and sensitive to external inputs which lead to spasms.

Cut wounds, burns, surgical wounds, punctures with dirty needles and deep puncture wounds are prone to tetanus. Reuse of syringe is also a major reason.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tetanus may start showing anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks after the wound has been infected, but the typical incubation period (time between infection and symptoms) is 5 to 10 days.

Symptoms include:

Chills
Difficulty swallowing
Headache
Irritability / restlessness
Neck and ha stiffness
Fever
Sore throat
Stiff arms and legs

Additional symptoms:

Difficulty in opening the jaw
Muscle spasms in the back, neck, or abdomen
A person who has contracted tetanus infection can develop a fixed expression with a tight stretched smile or arched eyebrows.
They may sweat a lot when they experience spasms and are usually unable to speak due to spasm in the chest or throat which also causes difficulty in breathing

Associated complications:

Pneumonia
Broken bones
Skin sores
Muscle tear
Low blood pressure

Treatment

Vaccination
Antibiotics and tetanus immune globulin to control infection
Wound treatment
Medications to prevent muscle spasms
Supportive care

Prevention

Clean all wounds thoroughly by rinsing with clean water and washing with soap and water
If the wound is deep, dirty or caused by contaminated objects/ surfaces (eg. rusted nails, sharp and dirty objects, falling on the road etc.) see the doctor.
Wear knee and elbow pads during sports activities
Opt for vaccination