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Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil and feces. It enters the body through open wounds and causes painful muscle contractions. In neonates, it enters through the umbilical cord stump. Symptoms in neonates include difficulty feeding and crying while older individuals experience fever and painful muscle spasms. Treatment involves antitoxins, antibiotics, muscle relaxants and wound care. Prevention is through active immunization with tetanus toxoid vaccines during pregnancy and childhood.

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176 views

Tetanus

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil and feces. It enters the body through open wounds and causes painful muscle contractions. In neonates, it enters through the umbilical cord stump. Symptoms in neonates include difficulty feeding and crying while older individuals experience fever and painful muscle spasms. Treatment involves antitoxins, antibiotics, muscle relaxants and wound care. Prevention is through active immunization with tetanus toxoid vaccines during pregnancy and childhood.

Uploaded by

kimyremorta
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TETANUS

Tetanus neonatum/ tetanus among older age groups


- Acute disease induced by toxin of tetanus bacillus growing an aerobically in wounds and at
site of umbilicus among infants. It is characterized by muscular contraction.
ETIOLOGIC AGENT:
-tetanus bacillus (clostridium tetani)

SOURCE OF INFECTION:
- Soil - Animal
- Street dust - Human feces
INCUBATION PERIOD:
Varies from 3 days to 1 month or more, falling between 7 to 14 days in high proportion of
cases.
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY:
Not communicable from person to person
MODE OF TRANSMISSION:
It occurs through contamination of the unhealed stump of the umbilicus cord.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION:
1. NEONATAL
-feeding and sucking difficulty
-crying excessively (voiceless cry)
-fever
-unattempt to suck will result to spasm or cyanosis
-jaw becomes stiff that the baby can’t swallow or suck
-may end flaccidity
-death if not manage immediately
2. AMONG OLDER AGE GROUP
-If tetanus remains localized, signs of onset are spasms.
-If it become generalized, indicates include:

 Low grade fever


 Painful involuntary muscle contraction
 Board-like abdomen
-In fatal cases, death usually occurs during the1st 10 days of disease.
DIAGNOSTIC EXAM:
The diagnosis is made by history and physical examination. Blood and wound cultures and
tetanus antibody tests are commonly negative.
TREATMENT MODALITIES:
1. Anti –tetanus serum (ATS)
2. Tetanus toxoid (TT)
3. Muscle relaxan
4. Oxygen therapy
5. Nasogastric feeding
6. Adequate fluid and caloric intake
NURSING MANAGEMENT:
1. Maintain adequate airway
2. Maintain an IV line for medication and emergency care
3. Efficient wound care
4. Avoid stimulation(noise, bright lights)
5. Avoid pressure sores and contractures
6. Monitor v/s
7. Watch for urinary retention
PREVENTION AND CONTROL:
- Active immunization with children and babies.

Vaccine Minimum Percent Duration of


Age/interval Protected Protection
TT1 As early in
pregnancy
TT2 4 weeks later 80% -infants born to
the mother will be
protected from
neonatal tetanus
-give 3 years
protection for the
mother
TT3 6 months later 95% -gives 5 years
protection for the
mother
TT4 1 year later 99% -gives 10 years
protection for the
mother
TT5 1 year later 99% -gives life time
protection for the
mother
-all infants born to
that mother will be
protected
- For babies, aseptic methods of umbilical care of the newborn.
- Aseptic technique during childbirth
- Diptheria ,Pertusis ,Tetanus (DPT) for babies and children.

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