Like any act of rebellion, warding off a tyrant means
knowing his every move. When it comes to the bacterial pecking order, one
particularly powerful figure is Tetanus. Tetanus, caused by the bacteria
Clostridium tetani, is an infection that attacks the nervous system, causing a
myriad of potentially life-threatening symptoms. Gain awareness and pursue
prevention to take back your own bodily castle.
Causes of Corruption
Tetanus is caused by exposure to Clostridium tetani. This of
course begs the question, “How does one become exposed to such bacteria”? The
bacteria are predominantly found in soil, dust, and animal feces. Fortunately,
the body’s protective layer – the skin – typically inhibits exposure to such
things. However, when Clostridium tetani does manage to enter the body through
cut, scrape, or other type of flesh wound, spores of the bacteria release a
very powerful toxin called tetanospasmin. Tetanospasmin is the real culprit
behind Tetanus, as it actively inhibits the motor neurons responsible for
muscle control. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the common red flags for
Tetanus are muscle spasms and stiffness.
Risking Revolt
Other than exposure to broken skin, there are a number of
other factors that increase the risk of Tetanus. In particular, if the skin is
broken by a foreign object such as a nails or splinters, there is a much higher
likelihood of contracting the disease. Similarly, other forms of puncture
wounds, including body piercings, tattoos, and intravenous drugs raise the
likelihood of Tetanus exposure.
There are also a number of far less common risk factors,
including gunshot wounds, compound fractures (fractures in which the bone
breaks the skin), burns, surgical wounds, animal bites, and ear infections.
Broken skin and exposure to some source of Clostridium
tetani constitute the fundamental elements for bacterial spores to propagate in
the body and release the toxin that causes Tetanus.
Treatment and Prevention: Defending the Peace
Once the tetanus tyrant has taken control, there are a
number of means of combating its harsh ways.
First and foremost is treating the location of exposure:
upon breaking the skin, it is essential to thoroughly clean the site of the
wound. This not only removes foreign objects and dirt from the wounds, but also
prevents the growth and proliferation of tetanus spores.
If the infection persists after cleaning the wound, there
are a number of treatment options available. Because the infection is
bacterial, doctors often prescribe antibiotics to eradicate Clostridium tetani
from the body.
Antitoxin is another treatment option. Common antitoxins,
such as tetanus immune globulin, act to neutralize the toxin released by
Clostridium tetani. Unfortunately, the antitoxin is only effective if the toxin
has not yet bonded to nerve tissue. Thus, by the time symptoms start to show,
it is too late for an antitoxin to have any significant effect.
Doctors may also prescribe sedatives or beta-blockers to
minimize muscle spasms. These medications relieve irregularity in both skeletal
muscle as well as the in the muscle tissue responsible for regulating heartbeat
and breathing.
Like a number of other infectious diseases, the most
effective means of avoiding Tetanus is prevention rather than treatment.
Steering clear the disease entirely always trumps managing symptoms after
already contracting the infection. Thus, preemptive vaccination is the best
course of action. Vaccination is also a crucial option after already
contracting Tetanus, as exposure to the disease does not render the body immune
to future infections. Get your Tetanus shot at your local Travel Vaccination clinic today.
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