Tetanus history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 18: Line 18:


==History and Symptoms==
==History and Symptoms==
The incubation period of tetanus ranges from 3 to 28 days, with an average onset of clinical presentation of symptoms in 8 days. In general, the farther the injury site is from the [[central nervous system]], the longer the incubation period. The shorter the incubation period, the higher the chance of death. In neonatal tetanus, symptoms usually appear from 4 to 14 days after birth, averaging about 7 days. On the basis of clinical findings, four different forms of tetanus have been described.<ref name=WHO_2000>{{cite web | title=Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination by 2005 | author=World Health Organization | date=2000-11-01 | url=http://www.unicef.org/immunization/files/MNTE_strategy_paper.pdf#search=%22neonatal%20tetanus%20rates%22 | accessdate=2007-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
The history of a patient presenting with tetanus typically reveals soil, rust containing metal or manure related contamination of an injury or a wound. Punctured wounds, burns, scratches by animals, fractures, otitis media and surgical wounds that are contaminated, these can be related to surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract or abortions. Contamination of the umbilical cord may also be an important history finding.<ref name=WHO_2000>{{cite web | title=Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination by 2005 | author=World Health Organization | date=2000-11-01 | url=http://www.unicef.org/immunization/files/MNTE_strategy_paper.pdf#search=%22neonatal%20tetanus%20rates%22 | accessdate=2007-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
  | author = [[Lisa Mitchell]], [[William Adams]] & [[Francois Aspesberro]]
  | author = [[Lisa Mitchell]], [[William Adams]] & [[Francois Aspesberro]]
  | title = Case 6: Episodic Stiffness in a 30-month-old Girl
  | title = Case 6: Episodic Stiffness in a 30-month-old Girl
Line 30: Line 30:
  | pmid = 28044038
  | pmid = 28044038
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
*Punctured wounds
*[[Burns]]
*Scratches by animals
*[[Fractures]]
*[[Otitis media]]
*Surgical wounds that are contaminated
**Gastrointestinal tract surgeries
**Abortion
*Contamination of the [[umbilical cord]]


'''Local Tetanus'''  
'''Local Tetanus'''  

Revision as of 15:10, 8 June 2017

Tetanus Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Tetanus from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Xray

CT scan

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Studies

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Tetanus history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tetanus history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Tetanus history and symptoms

CDC on Tetanus history and symptoms

Tetanus history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Tetanus history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Tetanus

Risk calculators and risk factors for Tetanus history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Tetanus incubation period ranges from 3 to 28 days, mean being 7 to 10 days. Tetanus may present as either local tetanus, cephalic tetanus or generalized tetanus. Neonatal tetanus occurs through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument. A typical history of an accident or an injury involving disruption of the skin allowing direct contact with the soil is mostly noticed.[1][2]

History and Symptoms

The history of a patient presenting with tetanus typically reveals soil, rust containing metal or manure related contamination of an injury or a wound. Punctured wounds, burns, scratches by animals, fractures, otitis media and surgical wounds that are contaminated, these can be related to surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract or abortions. Contamination of the umbilical cord may also be an important history finding.[3][4]

Local Tetanus

  • Injury of the particular area followed by spasmodic contraction limited to the injured area.
  • Contractions of local tetanus may take weeks to subside.
  • Generalized tetanus may be preceded by local tetanus.

Cephalic Tetanus

  • It is a rare form of the disease, occasionally occurring with otitis media (ear infections) in which C. tetani is present in the flora of the middle ear, or following injuries to the head.
  • There is involvement of the cranial nerves, especially in the facial area.

Generalized Tetanus

  • Descending spasm of muscles
  • The first sign is trismus or lockjaw, followed by
    • Stiffness of the neck
    • Difficulty in swallowing
    • Rigidity of pectoral and calf muscles.
  • Other symptoms include
    • Elevated temperature
    • Sweating
    • Elevated blood pressure
    • Episodic tachycardia
  • Spasms may occur frequently and last for several minutes. Spasms continue for 3–4 weeks and complete recovery may take months.
  • History of cephalic or localized tetanus
  • History of injury

Neonatal Tetanus Neonatal tetanus may present with a history of:[5]

  • Generalized tetanus occurring in newborn infants.
  • History of use of non-sterile instrument to cut the umblical stump
  • Umblical stump covered with cow dung or juice etc


The infection causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw, which makes it impossible to open your mouth or swallow. If this happens, you could die of suffocation.

References

  1. "Tetanus | Symptoms and Complications | Lockjaw | CDC".
  2. Anisha Doshi, Clare Warrell, Dima Dahdaleh & Dimitri Kullmann (2014). "Just a graze? Cephalic tetanus presenting as a stroke mimic". Practical neurology. 14 (1): 39–41. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000541. PMID 24052566. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. World Health Organization (2000-11-01). "Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination by 2005" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-01-26.
  4. Lisa Mitchell, William Adams & Francois Aspesberro (2017). "Case 6: Episodic Stiffness in a 30-month-old Girl". Pediatrics in review. 38 (1): 52–53. doi:10.1542/pir.2014-0142. PMID 28044038. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. Martha H. Roper, Jos H. Vandelaer & Francois L. Gasse (2007). "Maternal and neonatal tetanus". Lancet (London, England). 370 (9603): 1947–1959. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61261-6. PMID 17854885. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

Template:WH Template:WS