Tetanus natural history: Difference between revisions
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**Found in 50%-70% of autopsied cases | **Found in 50%-70% of autopsied cases | ||
== | ==Prognosis== | ||
Death in about 10-20% of cases, higher among older people. | Death in about 10-20% of cases, higher among older people. | ||
In recent years: | |||
*Tetanus has been fatal in approximately 11% of reported cases | |||
*Most commonly fatal cases found in: | |||
**People of 60 years or older (approximately 18%) | |||
**Unvaccinated people (approximately 22%) | |||
*In about 20% of deaths, no obvious pathology is detected | |||
**Death is attributed directly to the direct effects of tetanus toxin. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 13:49, 15 March 2012
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Tetanus Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Tetanus natural history On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Tetanus natural history |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Tetanus natural history |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Natural history
Complications
There are many complications associated with tetanus infection. Some of the complications are as follows:
- Laryngospasm
- This can be associated with spasms of the muscles of respiration which leads to breathing difficulties.
- Fractures of the spine or long bones
- This may result from prolonged contractions and convulsions
- Hyperactivity of autonomic nervous system
- This may lead to an abnormal heart rhythm and/or hypertension
- Nosocomial infections
- Common because of prolonged hospitalization
- There are commonly some secondary infections including:
- Sepsis from indwelling catheters
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Decubitis ulcers
- Pulmonary embolism
- Apparent in drug users and the elderly
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Common late complication
- Found in 50%-70% of autopsied cases
Prognosis
Death in about 10-20% of cases, higher among older people.
In recent years:
- Tetanus has been fatal in approximately 11% of reported cases
- Most commonly fatal cases found in:
- People of 60 years or older (approximately 18%)
- Unvaccinated people (approximately 22%)
- In about 20% of deaths, no obvious pathology is detected
- Death is attributed directly to the direct effects of tetanus toxin.