Tetanus or lock-jaw, followed by wound is induced by a toxin of tetanus bacillus.

Tetanus bacillus lives in the contaminated soil of road, gardens and agriculture land. These microbes survive in the intestinal track of horses and cattle. Spores, which is a thick coat to bear the adverse conditions.

They enter the body through a wound, deep stab, and penetrating wound by the dust or dirt. As soon as they gel a favourable environment, the hard shell of the spore bust open and thousands of bacillus spread in the blood stream. They attack the nervous system and cause instant death.

Spread of Disease:

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The disease occurs with the wound, deep cut with a metal, on the road, in the agriculture fields. The bacillus enters the body through various wound and spread their toxin in the blood stream like during operations, unhygienic deliveries of babies, etc.

Incubation Period:

Generally it is of 8 to 10 days.

Period of Communicability:

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Until the patient has fully recovered but the patient does not spread this disease.

Symptoms:

When the tetanus bacillus enters the body, they attack the nervous system and spread their toxin. The first indications of the trouble are irritability and restless along with headache.

Gradually the neck becomes stiff and there is difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Subsequently spasms of muscular pain lead to jaw lock. The fever and pain is so severe that the patient dies after a few days.

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Immunisation:

Tetanus toxiod vaccine is given along with D.P.T. (Diphtheria, Pertusis, and Tetanus). Intra-muscular injections are given in three doses at the interval of one month. These doses are given between the age of six weeks and nine months.

One booster dose is given at the age of 5-6 years and another booster dose is repeated when the child is 10 years and 16 years of age.

Similarly in the 16th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, whenever there is an accident or wound is deep, or people working in such places where there is a possibility of getting hurt or wounded, tetanus vaccine is given as a preventive measure.

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Prevention:

All wounds should be treated carefully especially if there is a fear of contamination with refuse or soil, wound should be thoroughly cleaned with disinfected or 3% iodine solution. In addition, ATS (Anti Tetanus – serum) injection should be given.