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Special Interest in Diabetology
Special Interest in Diabetology
1. What is the cause of tetanus?
The bacteria Clostridium tetani causes tetanus. It is a soil-dwelling bacteria, which is also found in animal faeces. The bacteria releases a harmful toxin called tetanospasmin in the blood which causes the impairment of muscle-controlling nerves.
2. Can tetanus leads to death?
Tetanus is fatal and typically leads to death as there is no cure available. Neonatal tetanus is the most common cause of death in newborns in the rural areas due to unsafe deliveries at home in unsterile conditions.
3. Is it necessary to take tetanus vaccination?
Yes, tetanus vaccine is necessary to prevent tetanus infection as there is no alternative cure for its infection. One should get a tetanus vaccine as a child in three doses. If the vaccine is not given in the childhood, then it should be given to adults followed by booster doses.
4. Who can get tetanus?
Anyone who has never got a tetanus vaccine or a booster dose for more than ten years can get tetanus from an infected wound.
5. Does tetanus vaccine have any side effects?
Tetanus vaccination is associated with mild side effects such as fever, headaches, swelling or soreness at the site of injection and fatigue.
Name | Speciality | Recommended By | Review Count | Years of Experience |
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Dr. Neehar Potluri | General Physician | 98% | 480 | 24 |
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Dr. P. Ramu | General Physician | 91% | 55 | 28 |
Dr. Rahul Gandhi Godisela | General Physician | 92% | 18 | 20 |
Tetanus is a severe bacterial infection caused by clostridium tetani which affect the nervous system. It is also known as lockjaw as this causes muscle contractions in the neck and jaw. This bacteria produces a toxin called tetanospasmin that causes painful contractions further leads to muscle spasms. It can ultimately spread to other parts of the body. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment and may be fatal and cause death if left untreated.
Following are few of the signs and symptoms of tetanus:
Associated signs with the above symptoms:
Tetanus is caused due to a Clostridium tetani bacterium. The spores of the bacteria commonly found in soil, dirt, animal manure. These spores can enter the body through wounds or cut and multiply rapidly releasing tetanospasmin. The toxin spreads into the bloodstream causing symptoms of tetanus
Tetanus can cause serious complications due to severe muscle spasms. Few of them are:
Usually, doctors will perform a physical examination to check for the signs of tetanus. Sometimes, doctors suggest laboratory tests to find out the conditions with the same symptoms. Tetanus diagnosis is also based on the immunization history. However, early diagnosis helps to provide treatment and can minimize the symptoms effectively.
Different types of wounds, cuts, or injuries have increased risk of tetanus infection. If an individual is having a minor wound, then one should follow the below measures to prevent tetanus.