Tetanus: incubation period, symptoms, treatment, consequences and prevention

Among the serious diseases that the modern man is afraid of, there is tetanus. This is a terrible disease, which not only acutely occurs, 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 such a disease as tetanus. 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 (saproniasis). The mechanism of disease transmission is contact. Simply put, the bacterium gets into the human body through the skin and causes ailment. The first symptoms that signal a tetanus infection can appear on the first day, or maybe in a month.

How does the infection occur?

As stated above, the bacterium penetrates the human body. This occurs through the skin, in places where there are wounds, cuts, abrasions, ie, integrity is impaired.

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 rod causing tetanus remains alive for 2-3 hours. In soil, it remains pathogenic for a very long period, despite any unfavorable conditions from outside. The wand can comfortably feel and pose a threat to human life on any objects up to several years. Do not act on it and means of disinfection.

Most often, people become infected with tetanus in the spring and summer. Where exactly the bacterium waits for its prey, can not be determined. Getting into the body, the stick begins to move very actively around the body, infecting more and more areas. A minimum dose of toxin is required to begin the development of tetanus.

When did the disease appear?

This disease is not new. Precisely to say, since when people began to become infected with tetanus, it is impossible. The disease has existed for more than one hundred years. For the first time it was learned 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 an especially large number of deaths from this disease occurred during the period of hostilities. Later, a vaccine was developed, which was administered as a prophylaxis. It was she who saved many deaths.

Where most often get tetanus?

Bacteria - the causative agent of the disease likes 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. In this case they have a considerable amount.

Tetanus is treatable, but even if the measures taken to combat the disease are in good time, the mortality rate is high, and the number of deaths is about 80%. The most active wand begins to act in the warm season, mainly in rural areas.

Tetanus: incubation period. Symptoms. Stages of

The incubation period in the disease may be different. From 1-2 days to a month. Typically, the incubation period is two weeks. At this time a person can feel bad. In the place where he has a wound and allegedly had a tetanus infection, muscle tension is observed, their twitching. Also a person becomes irritable, sweating is intensified.

There are four stages of the disease:

1. The incubation period. Symptoms at this time do not manifest themselves brightly. This stage is dangerous because it is not possible to recognize the disease. If only a person does not begin to worry in advance and does not decide to pass the analysis.

2. The initial stage. During this period, the person starts aching pain. Basically in the place of the wound, which already seems to have started to heal. This period can be about two days. This starts muscle spasm.

3. The stage of swell. How many days does this period last? Usually it's about two weeks. Symptoms are very clear. The most difficult period for a person, accompanied by constant convulsions, malaise.

4. Stage of recovery. At this time the person becomes easier. To understand that the body has gone on the amendment, it is possible by the fact that convulsions gradually appear less and less.

An important point! In the period of recovery, although it becomes easier for a person, this time is very dangerous for him. It is at the stage of recovery that complications can begin.

Before talking about the signs of the disease, it is worth noting that the shorter the incubation period, the disease will flow more heavily. Symptoms of tetanus in adults and children are as follows:

• At the initial stage, tetanus is very acute. The first thing that happens during infection is compression of the jaw as a result of cramps.

• The next stage is a sardonic smile, which is the result of a spasm in the muscles of the face.

• Further compression of the pharynx muscles occurs, which leads to difficulty swallowing. Such signs are only when infected with tetanus.

• When the disease goes into high gear, muscle spasm begins in the whole body. It does not affect only the feet and palms.

• When the cramps reach the muscles of the diaphragm, it becomes difficult for a person to breathe. His breathing quickens, while it's shallow.

• Further muscle tone leads to problems with going to the toilet.

• At the later stages of the disease, a person's back arches. It becomes noticeable by the way he is lying on the bed. Between her and her back, you can clearly see the distance through which you can thrust your hand.

• One of the extreme conditions in a person is the moment when cramps bind the majority of the body, while causing painful pain.

• Almost the entire period, while the disease develops, the patient experiences severe irritation, it starts to have trouble sleeping, the temperature rises, the sweat flows profusely.

Symptoms of tetanus in adults coincide with signs of lesions in children and pregnant women.

The likelihood of a fatal outcome in the presence of all these symptoms is great. But even if the treatment showed positive dynamics, the recovery process will take several months. The possibility of complications is high.

Complications

Complications of tetanus, which appear after the illness, are directly related to the patient's condition. Simply put, difficulties in breathing lead to problems with the lungs, stagnation of the contents, which leads to pneumonia.

Convulsions, which fettered all muscles, cause their rupture, patients may have fractures of bones, joints, vertebrae, ligament ruptures. There may be curvature of the spine. Another complication of tetanus is a heart attack.

It may begin to develop sepsis, abscess, pyelonephritis and other infections of secondary origin.

For children, tetanus is in most cases a fatal disease. The adult person recovers more often, but here everything depends on the severity of the disease.

Analysis

Analysis for tetanus is done on the basis of venous blood. It is needed in order to examine before the start of vaccinations a specific state of immunity. It is also required to determine the level of antibodies after vaccination.

Assign an analysis to tetanus can any doctor: 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 diagnostic centers.

Preparation for the analysis

To observe any measures is not required, except that in the morning, before passing the analysis, one should not eat anything. Also in the previous evening, it is necessary to avoid emotional overstrain, various physical activities.

After the analysis and evaluation of the results, which should reveal the protective level of antibodies in the blood, vaccinations are made according to the vaccination calendar. After a while, revaccination is prescribed.

Action of vaccination

The effect of vaccination against tetanus is the same as that of others. A small amount of neutralized toxins of the causative agent of the disease is introduced into the human body. Human immunity should identify the microbe and begin to fight it. To do this, it produces protective antibodies.

There is an opinion that vaccination against tetanus is very dangerous, because there is a risk of infection. But this opinion is erroneous, because all vaccines are investigated and manufactured in laboratory conditions in accordance with safety standards.

At what age is tetanus vaccinated?

Begin the vaccination is necessary from the age of three months. The next inoculation is done at 4.5 months. After - in a year and a half and then in 6-7 years.

If in childhood the full course of vaccination was performed, then in the adult age the vaccination should be done only once in 10 years. The first revaccination begins at age 18.

If the child was not completed the full course, the vaccination for the first time in adulthood is placed twice. If you are interested in the question of how many days will be repeated vaccination, then according to the rules - not less than a month.

Side effects and contraindications to tetanus vaccine

The vaccine is given intramuscularly. It can be done in the shoulder, shoulder blade or thigh. Afterwards, there may be some side effects, namely, an increase in temperature, which can be brought down by any antipyretic agent, the skin becomes swollen at the inoculation site, and a slight pain is also possible. These side effects are normal and should be performed within 2-3 days, no more.

Contraindications:

• pregnancy, with emergency need to introduce a woman immunoglobulins;

• allergy to vaccine components;

• Weakened immunity;

• colds at the time of vaccination and postponed less than a month ago;

• chronic diseases.

Treatment of tetanus

Illnesses are treated by infectious disease doctors and resuscitators in the intensive care unit. Patients are provided with complete peace, light is muffled, silence is observed.

To neutralize toxins of the tetanus bacillus, specific immunoglobulins, as well as serum against the disease, are introduced into the body. To start treatment immediately, it is very important to know how tetanus is manifested. The incubation period, the symptoms should be known to every person who is monitoring his health.

If a person has convulsions, then he is prescribed anticonvulsant sedatives. For analgesia, narcotic analgesics are injected. Against cramps are most often used "Sibazon", "Sudksin." As drugs - morphine and "Tramadol". Additionally, treatment with muscle relaxants is performed.

If a person has breathing, then it is connected to an artificial respiration apparatus. Also prescribed laxative drugs, put a catheter in the bladder. Viability is provided by apparatuses.

Also treated with antibiotics, which belong to the category of tetracyclines, make droppers of plasma, haemodes, albumin. All patients are provided with careful and caring care.

Prevention of tetanus

The most effective measure that helps to avoid serious consequences and death is vaccination. As it is put, we already spoke above. The vaccine has been used for several decades, helping a person cope with this terrible disease.

Also, take precautions when working in the garden and the garden. If there are wounds or abrasions on the hands or feet, then all actions should be carried out only with gloves and shoes on thick and thick soles. In places where there can be rodents, you should be extremely cautious.

If the infection has occurred, then the first symptoms immediately need to go to the hospital. The place of infection is excised. If the vaccine was given no more than five years ago, then the serum is not used.

So, here we are and talked about such a terrible disease as tetanus. The incubation period, symptoms, treatment and prevention of a terrible illness are no longer a secret to you. Be careful, and then you will never be at risk of contracting this disease. And if someone from your friends got sick with tetanus, you do not have to wait. We urgently need to go to the hospital!