It is a rare but potentially lethal disease, which can also develop from common wounds. It is not the rust that causes it, but the spores of a bacterium present in the soil. Knowing its symptoms and preventing with the vaccine remains the most effective defense
Little Luca fell while playing in the garden and got a deep cut on the knee. While the medicine, the parents ask: “But should we worry about tetanus? Is it true that the wounds caused by rusty objects are particularly dangerous? And if our son is vaccinated, are we really safe? ».
Tetanus, acute and potentially lethal infectious disease, is caused by a bacterium present all over the world and particularly resistant to adverse environmental conditions. This microorganism produces a powerful toxin, the tetanic toxin, which attacks the nervous system and causes painful and uncontrollable muscle contractions.
Tetanian infection
Tetanus is caused by Clostridium TetaniBacterium Anaerobio Gram-positive (which remains colorful of blue or purple after the coloring of Gram, laboratory procedure used to identify and classify bacteria based on their cell wall) which is commonly found in the soil, dust and animal and human feces. Its spores can survive for years in difficult environments and become active when they come into contact with human fabrics through contaminated wounds.
Once activated, the bacterium releases the tetanic toxin, one of the most lethal known, which acts on our nervous system. Toxin prevents our body from controlling the muscles, leading to strong contractions that can be painful and dangerous. Although tetanus is rare in countries with high vaccination coverage, it can be fatal if not treated promptly.
How do you take tetanus?
Unlike many other infections, tetanus is not contagious: it is not transmitted from person to person, but only through direct contact between the spores of the tetanus bacterium and a wound. The most at risk situations include:
- deep wounds contaminated from the ground, dust or feces;
- Points or lacerations caused by metal objects, but not necessarily rusty;
- bites of animals or serious burns;
- surgical wounds not adequately sterilized.
It is a common myth that only rusty metal can cause tetanus. In reality, rust in itself is not dangerous, but rusty objects are often found in environments where the Clostridium Tetani is present, as agricultural land or old buildings.
How to recognize an infected wound by Tetano
The wounds infected with tetanus does not always present themselves evidently. In some cases, even a slight surface wound may be sufficient to introduce the spores of the bacterium. The signs that a wound could be at risk include:
- presence of foreign bodies, such as splinters or earth;
- swelling, redness and purulent secretion;
- intense pain or anomalous sensitivity around the wound;
- signs of necrosis (dead tissue).
Cleaning the wound carefully as soon as possible is essential to reduce the risk of infection. It is advisable to wash with running water and soap, remove any foreign bodies and disinfect with antiseptic solutions with oxidizing action (such as oxygenated water).
In severe cases, a medical evaluation for a more in -depth cleaning with the removal of the necrotic tissue and, if indicated, the administration of tetanic immunoglobulins may be necessary.
Titan symptoms
After a period of incubation that varies from 3 to 21 days (on average 7-10 days), the initial symptoms of tetanus begin to manifest, including:
- muscle rigidity located near the wound;
- painful muscle spasms that can spread to the whole body;
- difficulty in swallowing and rigidity of the neck;
- Sardonic rice, a characteristic expression caused by the contraction of the facial muscles;
- painful spasms and tetanical contractions that can interfere with breathing and lead to suffocation.
In severe cases, complications such as bone fractures due to intense contractions, pneumonia for aspiration and respiratory failure, which can lead to death for Tetano in the absence of timely treatment may occur.
Tetanisation
Titanization is one of the most serious effects of tetanic infection. It is a condition in which the muscles undergo persistent and uncontrollable contractions, called tetanical contractions. These contractions can be so strong that they cause muscle injuries and bone fractures.
In addition, tetanization makes it difficult for the body to carry out even the simplest tasks, such as breathing or swallowing, and in the most serious cases it can lead to lethal complications such as respiratory or cardiac failure. Timely treatment is essential to stop this process and prevent serious damage.
Tetano: care and treatment
Titan treatment requires immediate medical intervention and can include:
- surgical cleaning of the wound to remove the necrotic tissue;
- administration of tetanical immunoglobulins to neutralize the toxin in the circulation;
- antibiotics to eliminate the bacterium and prevent the production of further toxin;
- muscle relaxants and respiratory support in the most serious cases.
However, it is important to underline that immunoglobulins cannot limit the neurotoxic action of the toxin already reached to nerve endings. When the toxin has already reached the nervous system, there is no treatment capable of completely reversing the damage already caused.
In case of risk wounds, the administration of the vaccine can be indicated even if the person has already been vaccinated in the past, especially if the last dose dates back to more than 5 years ago.
Vaccine for tetanus
Titan prevention is possible thanks to vaccination, usually administered as part of the hexavalent vaccine in infants and as a call in children, adolescents and adults.
The vaccine against tetanus is safe and effective, with few side effects, and is a fundamental tool to prevent this dangerous infection. As indicated by the vaccination calendar, the vaccine is administered through a series of recall injections to ensure lasting protection over time.
- 1st dose: at the completion of 2 months (from the 61st day of life).
- 2nd dose: at the completion of 4 months (from the 121st day of life).
- 3rd dose: at the completion of 10 months (from the 301st day of life).
At 5-6 years the 4th dose of the hexavalent vaccine (DTPA/IPV/HIB) is administered, which includes protection against tetanus.
After the primary cycle, it is necessary to make periodic calls to maintain adequate protection against tetanus:
- 11-12 years: first dose of recall with the DTPA-IPV combined vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio).
- Subsequently, a call every 10 years.
In case of suspicious wounds (for example wounds from contaminated objects), the vaccine can be administered even after the injury. If the person is not updated with the calls, it may be necessary to administer a dose of post-exposure call to prevent the risk of tetanus, together with a treatment with anti-tetanian immunoglobulins.
Tetanus in pregnancy
Titan during pregnancy represents a significant risk for both the health of the mother and the child. However, the risk of contracting tetanus in pregnancy is very low, especially thanks to the large vaccination coverage.
If the pregnant woman is not vaccinated or has not received the updated calls, the risk of infection obviously increases and, in this case, the tetanic toxin can cause serious complications. More in detail:
- Risks for the mother. Tetanian infection in pregnancy can cause serious complications. Intense muscle contraction and spasms that occur with tetanus can compromise breathing and request urgent medical treatment. If not treated promptly, the infection can be lethal.
- Risks for the child. If a pregnant woman contracts tetanus, especially in advanced stages of pregnancy, there is a risk that the tetanic toxin will reach the fetus, causing neonatal complications. The neonatal tetanus, which can develop immediately after birth, is particularly dangerous in areas where hygiene practices during childbirth are not adequate, as in some rural areas or in developing countries.
During pregnancy, the vaccine against tetanus is safe and highly recommended, in particular during the third quarter.
The combined vaccine for pertussis, which also includes protection against tetanus, is recommended to all pregnant women, usually between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation. This not only protects the mother, but also guarantees the protection of the newborn against tetanus.
Conclusions
If the child is vaccinated against tetanus, there is no reason to worry too much in case of a small injury. The most important thing is to clean the wound well and keep it under control for a few days. If the wound is particularly deep or contaminated by potentially infected materials, such as the earth, it is always better to consult the doctor, which can evaluate whether a call of the vaccine or other preventive measures is needed.
In general, vaccination is the most effective prevention measure.
