About this topic
Tetanus is a serious illness that affects your muscles and nerves. A poison made by a germ called Clostridium tetani causes it. The germs can be found in soil, dust, and animal waste. ‚
Tetanus cannot spread from one person to some other person. The germs enter your body through a cut or deep wound. Then, the germs start to make a poison. The poison blocks the nerves that signal your muscles to work normally. This can lead to: ‚
- Muscle spasm of your jaw causing it to lock. This is lockjaw.
- Spasm of your chest, neck, back, or belly muscles
- Neck stiffness
- Hard to breathe
- Muscle pain
Tetanus can be prevented by getting a vaccine. Treatment may include drugs, wound care, and bedrest. You may need help to breathe. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to clean the wound and remove the poison. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Make sure you have a way to monitor your body temperature in your home.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your wound. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Relax muscles
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Spasms of the vocal cords which can block breathing
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Lung infection
- Brain damage due to lack of oxygen
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Get a tetanus vaccine. You will need a booster shot every 10 years.
- If you have a wound, get a tetanus shot to avoid tetanus.
- Wear shoes or thick gloves if you will be walking or working in areas where there is animal or human waste or poor sanitation.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound opens up.
- Muscles spasm
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my wound.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Tetanus ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/tetanus.html# ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tetanus/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚