Among the serious illnesses that modern man fears is tetanus. This is a terrible disease, which is not only acute, but also causes serious complications and death. To have more information about the disease, read this article. In it, we will tell you everything about a disease such as tetanus. The incubation period, symptoms, treatment, prevention, etc. will become known to you after reading the material.
What is tetanus?
This is an acute infectious disease. Its pathogens are bacteria that live in the soil (sapronous). The transmission mechanism of the disease is contact. Simply put, a bacterium enters the human body through the skin and causes an ailment. The first symptoms that signal tetanus infection can occur on the first day, or maybe a month later.
How does infection happen?
As mentioned above, the bacterium penetrates the human body. This happens through the skin, in places where there are wounds, cuts, abrasions, i.e. integrity is broken.
The carriers can be rats, mice, birds, and the person himself. The bacterium is very tenacious. It can function even at high temperatures. So, at 90 degrees, the tetanus-causing stick remains alive for 2-3 hours. In the soil, it remains pathogenic for a very long period, despite any adverse external conditions. The wand can feel comfortable and pose a threat to human life on any subject up to several years. Disinfectants do not act on it.
Most often, people become infected with tetanus in spring and summer. Where exactly the bacterium is waiting for its victim cannot be determined. Once in the body, the wand begins to move very actively throughout the body, infecting more and more sites. A minimum dose of toxin is required in order for tetanus to develop.
When did the disease appear?
This disease is not new. It’s impossible to say exactly how long people began to become infected with tetanus. The disease has existed for more than one hundred years. For the first time they learned about it from the records of Hippocrates. In his treatise, he described the disease from which his son died. Studying tetanus began only in the 19th century. Studies have shown that a particularly large number of deaths from this disease occurred during the war. Later, a vaccine was developed, which was introduced as a prophylaxis. It was she who served as a salvation from numerous deaths.
Where are most often tetanus?
The bacterium - the causative agent of the disease loves a moist environment. Very often, the disease occurs in Africa, Asia, and even in America. But in recent years, there have been cases of tetanus infection in Europe. Moreover, they have a considerable amount.
Tetanus is treatable, but even with timely measures to combat the disease, mortality is high, and the number of deaths is about 80%. The stick is most active in the warm season, mainly in rural areas.
Tetanus: incubation period. Symptoms Stages
The incubation period for the disease can be different. From 1-2 days to a month. Typically, the incubation period is two weeks. At this time, a person may feel bad. In the place where he had a wound and a tetanus infection allegedly occurred, muscle tension and twitching are observed. Also, a person becomes irritable, sweating intensifies.
There are four stages of the disease:
1. The incubation period. Symptoms at this time do not appear brightly. This stage is dangerous in that it is not possible to recognize the disease. Unless a person begins to worry in advance and decides to take an analysis.
2. The initial stage. During this period, a person begins aching pain. Mostly in the place of the wound, which seems to have begun to heal. This period can be about two days. This starts a muscle spasm.
3. The stage of heat. How many days does this period last? Usually it is about two weeks. Symptoms are very pronounced. The most difficult period for a person, accompanied by constant convulsions, malaise.
4. The stage of recovery. At this time, the person becomes easier. It is possible to understand that the body is recovering from the fact that convulsions gradually appear less and less.
An important point! During the recovery period, even though it becomes easier for a person, this time is very dangerous for him. It is at the recovery stage that complications can begin.
Before talking about the signs of the disease, it is worth noting that the shorter the incubation period, the more severe the disease will be. Symptoms of tetanus in adults and children are as follows:
• At the initial stage, tetanus is quite acute. The first thing that happens during infection is a compression of the jaw as a result of seizures.
• The next stage is a sardonic smile, which is the result of a spasm of the muscles of the face.
• Then there is a contraction of the muscles of the pharynx, which leads to difficulty swallowing. Such symptoms only occur when tetanus is infected.
• When the disease goes into full swing, muscle spasm begins throughout the body. It does not affect only the feet and palms.
• When cramps reach the muscles of the diaphragm, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe. His breathing quickens, while it is superficial.
• Further, muscle tone leads to problems with going to the toilet.
• In the later stages of the disease, the person arches back. This becomes noticeable by the way he lies on the bed. Between her and her back is clearly visible the distance through which you can stick your hand.
• One of the extreme conditions in a person is the moment when convulsions hold down most of the body, while causing excruciating pain.
• Almost the entire period while the disease develops, the patient experiences severe irritation, he begins to have problems with sleep, fever, sweat profusely.
Symptoms of tetanus in adults coincide with signs of damage in children and pregnant women.
The probability of death in the presence of all these symptoms is high. But even if the treatment showed a positive trend, the recovery process will take several months. The possibility of developing complications is high.
Complications
Complications of tetanus that appear after an illness are directly related to the patient’s condition. Simply put, difficulties in breathing lead to the fact that lung problems begin, stagnation of the contents occurs, which entails pneumonia.
Convulsions that fettered all the muscles cause them to rupture; patients may have fractures of bones, joints, vertebrae, and ruptures of ligaments. Spinal curvature may occur. Another complication of tetanus is a heart attack.
Sepsis, abscess, pyelonephritis and other infections of secondary origin may begin to develop.
For children, tetanus in most cases is a fatal disease. An adult recovers more often, but here it all depends on the severity of the disease.
Analysis
A tetanus test is done on the basis of venous blood. It is needed in order to investigate a specific state of immunity before starting vaccinations. It is also required in order to determine the level of antibodies after vaccination.
Any doctor can appoint an analysis for tetanus: a surgeon, a therapist, a gynecologist, an infectious disease specialist, and so on. It can be done in medical institutions, as well as in immunological laboratories, in diagnosis centers.
Preparing for the test
It is not necessary to observe any measures, except that in the morning, before taking the analysis, nothing should be eaten. Also on the previous evening, you should avoid emotional overstrain, various physical activities.
After analysis and evaluation of the results, which should reveal a protective level of antibodies in the blood, vaccinations are given according to the vaccination calendar. After some time, revaccination is prescribed.
Vaccination action
The tetanus shot is the same as the others. A small amount of neutralized toxins of the pathogen is introduced into the human body. The human immunity must identify the microbe and begin to fight it. To do this, he produces protective antibodies.
There is an opinion that a vaccination against tetanus is very dangerous, because there is a risk of infection. But this opinion is erroneous, because all vaccines are tested and manufactured in the laboratory in accordance with safety standards.
At what age is a tetanus vaccine given?
It is necessary to start vaccination from the age of three months. The next vaccination is done in 4.5 months. After - in a year and a half and then already in 6-7 years.
If in childhood a full course of vaccination was performed, then in adulthood, vaccination should be done only once every 10 years. The first revaccination begins at age 18.
If a full course was not taken in childhood, then the vaccine is given twice for the first time in adulthood. If you are interested in the question of how many days will be re-vaccinated, then according to the rules - at least a month later.
Side effects and contraindications of tetanus vaccine
The vaccine is given intramuscularly. It can be done on the shoulder, shoulder blade or thigh. After that, some side effects may be observed, namely, an increase in temperature, which can be brought down by any antipyretic agent, the skin swells at the vaccination site, and mild pain is also possible. These side effects are normal and should pass in 2-3 days, no more.
Contraindications:
• pregnancy; in case of emergency, a woman needs to be given immunoglobulins;
• allergy to the components of the vaccine;
• weakened immunity;
• colds at the time of vaccination and transferred less than a month ago;
• chronic diseases.
Tetanus treatment
Infections are treated by infectious disease doctors and resuscitators in the intensive care unit. Sick people are provided with complete peace, the light is dimmed, silence is observed.
To neutralize tetanus bacillus toxins , specific immunoglobulins, as well as serum against the disease, are introduced into the body. To begin treatment immediately, it is very important to know how tetanus appears. The incubation period, symptoms should be known to every person who monitors their health.
If a person has convulsions, then he is prescribed anticonvulsant sedatives. For analgesia, narcotic analgesics are injected. Against convulsions, Sibazon, Sudksin are most often used. As drugs - morphine and Tramadol. Additionally, muscle relaxants are treated.
If a person has respiratory failure, then he is connected to an artificial respiration apparatus. Laxatives are also prescribed, and a catheter is placed in the bladder. Viability is provided by devices.
Also, antibiotics are treated, which belong to the category of tetracyclines, make plasma droppers, hemodesis, albumin. All patients are provided with careful and caring care.
Tetanus prophylaxis
The most effective measure that helps to avoid serious consequences and death is vaccination. As it is put, we have already said above. The vaccine has been used for several decades, helping people cope with this terrible disease.
You should also observe safety precautions when working in the garden and vegetable garden. If there are wounds or abrasions on the hands or feet, then all actions must be carried out only with gloves and shoes on a thick and thick sole. In places where rodents can be, you should be extremely careful.
If infection has occurred, then with the first symptoms you should immediately go to the hospital. The site of infection is excised. If the vaccine was given no more than five years ago, then the serum is not used.
So, here we talked about such a terrible disease as tetanus. The incubation period, symptoms, treatment and prevention of a terrible disease are no longer a secret for you. Be careful, and then you will never be at risk of contracting this disease. And if someone from acquaintances fell ill with tetanus, no need to wait. Urgent need to go to the hospital!